How many dogs can you walk? NZ council rules for pack walkers

It's the first thing every new pack walker asks: how many dogs can I take out at once, and what does my council want from me before I do? The answer depends on where you walk. Here's what Auckland, Wellington, Lower Hutt, Christchurch and Dunedin say, one council at a time.

We checked these facts in October 2026. Councils change their rules, so each section links the council's own page. If that page ever says something different from this one, go with the council.

Auckland

Since 1 January 2026, anyone walking 5 to 12 dogs at once in Auckland needs a Certificate of Approval from the council. It's free.

• 12 dogs is the ceiling for one walker.
• What it asks for: ID, the right gear, competence handling the dogs, temperament checks on the dogs, and good conduct out on the walk.
• Where to apply: the council's page Apply to walk a group of five to 12 dogs.

We wrote a whole guide on it, form and all: Walking 5 to 12 dogs in Auckland.

Wellington

Wellington City Council wants a commercial dog walking licence from anyone walking dogs as a business.

• $213 for the licence.
• A dog handling course, and a check by an animal control officer.
• $68.50 a year to renew.
• The Town Belt is extra: walking there needs its own approval on top of the licence.
• How many dogs: neither the licence page nor the council's Dog Policy (adopted 2024) gives a number. The dog handling course sets your conditions, so ask the council before you take a bigger pack out: professionaldogwalkers@wcc.govt.nz.

The council's page: Dog walking licence.

Lower Hutt

In Lower Hutt, walking more than 4 dogs at once needs a commercial dog walker licence from Hutt City Council.

• $160 per walker. A company pays $300 for three walkers.
• A council course, then an assessment by an officer.
• $40 a year to renew.
• Public liability insurance is part of it.

The council's page: Commercial dog walker licence.

Christchurch

Christchurch keeps one walker to 4 dogs, and only 2 of them off-leash.

Since May 2026 you can apply for an exemption to walk more:

• $175, one-off. It's per person, not per business, so each walker on your team applies for their own.
• It doesn't run out: once you have it, it lasts.
• Insurance, first aid and vetting all help your application.

The council's page: Dog walking businesses: dog limit and exemption.

Dunedin

Dunedin's Dog Control Bylaw lets one person have up to 6 dogs with them in a public place.

• More than 6 needs written permission from the council, through its permits page. The page doesn't give a fee, so ask the council.
• On a lead: the dunes and the central city streets are leash-only.

The council's page: Dog control bylaw and policy.

The details an officer asks about, in your pocket

Whatever your council's number, out on the walk the question is about the dogs in front of you. BarkBus was built by New Zealand pack walkers, and it keeps those answers on your phone:

• Every dog on the day's run, by name. Open Daily run and each stop shows the dog and the address you collected it from.
• Each owner's name and address. They're on the Owner profile, the same details you plan the pickups from.
• Every walker sees the same run. Drivers and handlers you add see it on their own phone, so whoever is out with the pack has the details too.

Start free with BarkBus