Following its three-year policy review, the Ōpōtiki District Council has agreed to seek feedback on two draft policies – Dog control and Gambling TAB Venues.
Council Group Manager Strategy and Development Antoinette Campbell said reviewing policies is routine.
Consulting on both documents at once lets staff work more efficiently.
“Council has approved community consultation on both policy reviews, which allows us to ensure the draft policies reflect current practices, meet legislative requirements and, through consultation, reflect our communities’ expectations,” Campbell said.
The draft Dog Control Policy includes a stronger focus on education before enforcement, as well as new guidance on the rehoming and euthanasia of dogs.
It also updates expectations around dog care, neutering and responsible ownership across the district.
Campbell said the proposed changes would bring the policy into line with nationally accepted standards.
“By asking our community for their feedback now, we hope to future-proof it for another three years at least,” she said.
The draft Gambling and TAB Venues Policy proposes formally including TAB venues within the policy framework for the first time.
The review also sets out conditions for applications involving venue relocations, extensions and mergers.
Campbell said the council needed to balance the legal operation of gambling venues with efforts to minimise harm to the community.
“We know gambling is a high-harm activity where council must balance enabling lawful gambling activity while minimising potential harm to the community,” she said.
“In doing so, we need to consider our statutory obligations alongside the known negative social impacts. This added guidance around venues, which our last policy did not have, gives council staff the tools and transparency for when these scenarios arise.”
She said public feedback would help determine whether the proposed approach reflected community expectations or whether residents wanted the council to take further action.
Consultation opened on 18 June and closes at midday on 23 July 2026.
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