In New Zealand, every dog over three months old must be registered on or before 1 July every year.
In the Waikato district there are four levels of dog registration fees. To qualify for rebated fees you must meet certain conditions, which are set by Council in the Waikato District Council Dog Control Policy 2007 (see below).
Dog Registration Information
All dogs over the age of three months must be registered on or before 1 July every year.
The Council sets the general dog owner registration fee annually for the financial year. The general dog owner fee is payable in respect of every dog, unless a rebate or surcharge applies.
Dog Registration Rebates
Rebates are only available to dogs registered by 1 August.
- Prompt Payment Rebate 15 percent of fee
- Approved Owner Rebate 35 percent of fee
- Selected or Farm Owner Rebate 25 percent of fee
- Total Rebates available 75 percent of fee
For dogs registered after 1 August the full years fee must be paid, except puppies at three months of age or dogs that have been imported into New Zealand.
For information on qualifications for approved owner rebates, selected or farm owner policies, please refer to the Waikato District Council Dog Control Policy 2007.
Dog Desexing Policy – Neutered or Spayed Dogs
If your dog has been desexed during the previous year, with written proof from a veterinary surgeon, the registration fee for the current year will be waived and your dog will receive a free tag. This waiver will apply for one registration year only.
This is subject to the following conditions:
- The dog is NOT classified as a Dangerous Dog and required under the provisions of the Dog Control Amendment Act 2003 to be neutered or spayed; and
- Written proof is provided by a certified veterinary surgeon who has adequately described the dog involved; and
- The proof and registration form is presented to the Council on or before the 31 July of the current year.
Guide Dogs, Hearing Ear Dogs, Companion Dogs (Assisting the Disabled)
A special annual registration fee of $5.00 applies to dogs in these categories, as defined by the Dog Control Act 1996.
Probationary Dog Owner Classification
A dog owner classified as probationary shall pay the general dog owner registration fee and no prompt payment rebate shall apply.
Dangerous Dog Classification
If you own a dog classified as a Dangerous Dog, you will be required to pay 150% of the general dog owner registration fee and no prompt payment rebate will apply.
Where a period of classification includes only part of a registration year a surcharge of 5% of the annual registration fee is payable for each month of that year.
Download Forms
Click here to download dog registration forms