Date:  07 May 2021

On 1 April, DOC closed tracks in the Te Paki Recreation Reserve-Twilight Beach area after members of the public reported seeing packs of menacing dogs. 

Up to four packs of feral dogs were seen, in the area which includes:

• Cape Reinga - Te Werahi Beach Track
• Te Werahi Beach - Twilight Beach Track
• Twilight Beach - Te Paki Stream Track
• Twilight - Te Werahi Loop Track
• Twilight Campsite.

Meirene Hardy-Birch, DOC’s Kaitaia District Operations manager, says there were concerns the dogs would attack and harm visitors – a risk DOC was not prepared to take.  They also posed a risk to native wildlife and adjoining farm owners’ livelihoods.

“In the last four weeks we have worked with the adjoining farm and facilities manager and have done physical surveillance, trail cameras and traps,” she says.

“A review of the physical surveying and footage captured by the cameras has shown no evidence of the dogs on the tracks which triggered the closure, so the tracks have reopened to the public.”

“We can’t rule out these dogs are still around, and we ask visitors to be vigilant and safe when using the tracks, as is best practice for visiting any DOC tracks.”

If visitors spot menacing feral dogs, they are urged to report sightings to Far North District Council on 0800 920 029. GPS co-ordinates for the sighting, along with any photographs of the dogs, will be particularly helpful.

DOC will continue to monitor the situation through trail cameras and work closely with local councils and landowners. 

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