Dog registration

This page contains information on registering your dog(s) for the first time and renewing registration.

Annual registration

It is important to register your dog every year as part of being a responsible dog owner. If your dog is lost, he or she can be quickly and easily identified using a registration tag.

All dogs over the age of three months must be registered. Each dog should be registered at the address where they spend the majority of time. All dogs registered for the first time (except farm dogs used for stock control) must also be microchipped. The Council doesn't offer a microchipping service, but all the local vets will do this.

Your dog must wear its colour-coded registration tag to show it has been registered for that year. The 2020/21 registration tag colour is blue.

Dog registration guidelines

• Only one person can be the registered owner of a dog
• If you are under 16 years of age, the dog must be registered under a parent's or guardian's name
• The registration period is from 1 July to 30 June each year
• Registration fees must be paid
• The registration fee is reduced if you have your dog desexed
• You could be issued with a $300 fine or be prosecuted, for not registering a dog and your dog can be impounded.

Renew registration

If your dog has been previously registered with Waimakariri District Council you should receive a renewal notice by mid-June of each year. When you receive your renewal form you can:

• Pay Online using Credit Card or, (if you bank with BNZ or Westpac) with Real Time Debit
• Send the registration form and payment to Waimakariri District Council, Private Bag 1005, Rangiora 7440
• Pay by internet banking
• Visit a service centre at Rangiora, Oxford or Kaiapoi.

Remember that the registration period is very busy for Customer Services and there may be queues at the service centre. If you haven't received your renewal form by the end of June, please download a Dog registration application form and send the form and payment to the Council.

If your dog has been spayed or neutered, please send us a copy of the vet certificate.

Paying by internet banking

If you are paying your dog registration by internet banking please follow these simple steps:

1. Pay the registration fee set out on your registration form to the Waimakariri District Council's Bank Account - 01-0877-0129222-00
2. Use the first Animal ID number as the reference (this reference is also at the bottom of the second page of your registration form). You can also include your surname. If you are paying an amount that is different to the total on your form, contact Customer Services first.

Your registration tag will be posted to you within one week of receipt of your registration form. If you have not received it within two weeks, please contact Customer Services.

New registration

If you are registering a dog for the first time:

1. Download and complete the Dog registration application form.
2. Attach any information supporting the registration of your dog. If your dog has been desexed, you will need to supply a copy of the veterinary certificate, or complete a Certificate of desexing declaration. Your dog must be microchipped, you will need to supply the microchip barcode within two months of registration.
3. Send the entire registration form, any attachments (such as a desexing certificate and a microchip barcode) and the relevant fee to Waimakariri District Council, Private Bag 1005, Rangiora 7440, or by email. Alternatively, visit a service centre at Rangiora, Oxford or Kaiapoi. Remember to take your vet certificate and/or a microchip barcode if you have them.

If you would like to pay for a new dog registration by internet banking, your registration form will be processed and we will advise you of a reference number to use when making your payment.

Updating your details

If any details have changed since you last registered your dog, you will need to complete the paper version of the application form and update the details that have changed. Send us the form by post, email, or deliver to Customer Services.

1. Download and complete the Dog registration application form.
   • If your dog has been desexed, you will need to supply a copy of the veterinary certificate or complete a Certificate of desexing dog/bitch.
   • If your dog has been microchipped, you will need to supply the microchip barcode, the chip supplier and the date the microchip was inserted.
   • If the class of your dog has changed, find the fee for the new class of your dog and enter this on the form. You can find the fees on our Dog control fees and charges page.
2. If the class of your dog has changed, note the changes on the form and attach any information supporting the changes.
3. Send the entire registration form (all pages), any attachments (such as a desexing certificate and a microchip barcode) and the relevant fee to Waimakariri District Council, Private Bag 1005, Rangiora 7440, or by email to office@wmk.govt.nz.

Alternatively, visit a service centre at Rangiora, Oxford or Kaiapoi. Remember to take your vet certificate and/or a microchip barcode if you have them.

Other changes of detail

If you change your address or give your dog to someone else to look after, either permanently or for longer than one month, you must tell us. You also need to let us know if any details change or need amending if, for example:

• your contact details change
• your dog has died
• your name is spelt incorrectly on correspondence received from Waimakariri District Council.

If your dog has died please fill out a Notification of death of dog form. This form is available to be completed online, or you can download a copy to fill out here. You can also visit one of our Service Centres in Rangiora, Kaiapoi or Oxford if you wish to notify us in person. A refund of registration fees will be calculated from the date the written notification is received.

If you and your dog change address but remain in Waimakariri , let us know as soon as possible by completing a Change of address/owner form and sending or emailing it to Customer Services, or visit a service centre at Rangiora, Oxford or Kaiapoi. 

Transfer of registration

If you or your dog move to another area, you need to inform both the Waimakariri District Council and the council in your new area as soon as possible so new licence tags can be issued.

Dog registration fees

You can view the current dog registration fees on our Dog control fees and charges page.

What are my registration fees used for?

Registration fees are the primary source of income to fund dog control services. Rates do not subsidise this activity.

Your dog registration fees pay for:

• 24/7 after hours emergency service
• Responding to complaints about dog attacks, roaming and barking dogs
• Promoting responsible dog ownership
• Reuniting lost dogs with their owners
• Maintaining the dog pound
• Dog safety education programmes
• Enforcement and administration.

Want more information? Read the information sheet - Where do your dog registration fees go? (pdf, 428.9 KB).

Reducing the cost of registration

There are two easy ways you can reduce your dog registration fees:

1. Pay on time - to receive the early payment discount if paid by 31 July
2. Desex your dog.