12 Aug 2024: dog attack on bird, short-term rentals rate

Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: Dabchick killed by dog at Okareka

Enquiry

received the below [Department of Conservation news release] about the dabchick death - will the council be putting anything out on it?

Threatened dabchick victim of dog attack

A threatened dabchick/weweia has been killed by a dog at Lake Ōkāreka near Rotorua.

Rotorua and Taupō are the main strongholds for dabchicks, with a total national population estimated at less than 2500 individuals.

The endemic waterbirds suffered rapid decline during the 1800s and 1900s, but due to conservation efforts they are now increasing in numbers.

Department of Conservation Rotorua Operations Manager Zane Jensen says it’s upsetting for DOC staff and conservation group members to see a healthy adult dabchick needlessly killed by a pet.

“The dabchick population in Rotorua is something we can be proud of: they can thrive here in our lakes, even with so many people and pets around.

“But with that privilege also comes the need for people in our community to be responsible pet owners, particularly when exercising dogs off-leash.”

The dabchick was found at Boyes Beach. The Rotorua Lakes Council Dog Control Bylaw allows dogs to be exercised on or off a lead at Boyes Beach during specified times. The Bylaw requires dogs to be under strict control of the person exercising the dog at all times, including when off-lead.

Boyes Beach links via a boardwalk to the DOC-managed Lake Ōkāreka Scenic Reserve. Dogs are not allowed to be taken into this reserve, as is the case for all DOC reserves in the Rotorua area. This is to protect our native wildlife from being disturbed, injured or killed by dogs.

“Many dogs have a natural urge to chase birds – it’s up to owners to be on the lookout for risks and keep control of their dogs,” says Zane.

An autopsy by Wildbase confirmed the bird, a healthy adult male, had been killed by a dog.

The natural environment at Lake Ōkāreka is highly valued by the community, with members of two local groups working tirelessly to protect and enhance biodiversity in the area.

Dabchicks are classified as threatened – nationally increasing, and are absolutely protected under the Wildlife Act 1953. Under the Dog Control Act 1996 the owner of any dog that attacks and causes the death of protected wildlife is liable on conviction to imprisonment for up to 3 years or a fine up to $20,000, or both; and the court may order the destruction of the dog.

ENDS

Can i ask what the specified times are?

Is the council aware of the above and since when?

What actions is the council taking, if any?

Does it have any advice to dog owners?

How often are there similar incidents, that the council is aware of?

Has there been any desire expressed for the dog rules to change here, who by and to what?

Is there any council cctv in the area? If so will it be used or provided to be used for identifying the dog owner?

Response

From Group Manager Community and District Development, Jean Paul Gaston:

It is disappointing to see the loss of the dabchick/weweia in an avoidable incident. This highlights the fact that dog owners have a responsibility to control their pet when out in public. All dogs in public places must be on a lead that is 2m long or less, held by a person capable of restraining the dog, unless they are in an area specifically set aside as a Dog Exercise Area. Council provides a range of areas where you can exercise your dog off the lead but you must still be able to control it as if it were on a lead.

Can I ask what the specified times are?

Dogs are prohibited between the hours of 9am to 7pm from 15 December to 1 March inclusive. Outside these times dogs may be exercised on or off a lead, provided they are under the strict control of the person exercising the dog. The restriction coincides with the birds breading season. Here is a link to the bylaw (see: Clause 26 of the third schedule).

Is the council aware of the above and since when?

Animal Control were only made aware of the incident on Thursday (8 August) when DOC made contact. We are not aware of any similar incidents in this area.

What actions is the council taking, if any?

Council does not have any information about the attack other than what DoC has provided. We request anyone that may have information to contact Council.

Does it have any advice to dog owners?

See comment above

How often are there similar incidents, that the council is aware of?

See above

Has there been any desire expressed for the dog rules to change here, who by and to what?

No

Is there any council cctv in the area? If so will it be used or provided to be used for identifying the dog owner?

There are no CCTV in this particular area.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Media: TVOne

Topic: New rate for short-term accommodation

Enquiry

I am a Producer with Breakfast.

On background, please can you tell me what the next moves are in terms of the consideration to increase rates for Airbnb properties/short terms stags as outlined in the long-term plan.

I am interested in covering this on our show but am trying to determine what the next steps are in the process, as well as the timeframe.

Response

We provided the following information:

See the following information for your background knowledge/understanding:

The new rate for short-term accommodation providers (please note this is a new rate rather than an increased rate as you’ve stated) was adopted (at the end of June 2024) as part of the 2024-34 Long-term Plan and took effect from 1 July 2024.

Following community consultation (as part of consulting on the long-term plan) Council agreed to introduce the ‘business and economic development targeted rate’ on properties that:

• Are advertised as available for 60 days or more per year;
• List a whole dwelling as being available for short-term accommodation (single rooms/spare bedrooms/granny flats are excluded).

The general rate charged to short-term accommodation providers remains as “residential” (so this was not changed to “commercial” as was initially proposed when council went out to consult on its long-term plan).

The intent of the policy is that properties used for short-term accommodation contribute a fair share towards the district and to tourism promotion.

The new policy is based on advertised availability, not bookings or usage.

The policy will be reviewed by Council after being in effect for at least 2 years but no later than 3 years from implementation.