Time for Buller dog owners to prepare for registration 2025-2026
Buller dog owners who have previously registered their dogs in the district will soon receive their dog registration forms in the mail, towards the end of June.
Once owners receive their form, they can call into council’s offices in Westport or Reefton to pay the appropriate registration fee and pick up their new tag, which is red this year.
If your contact information, or your dog’s details have changed, this information can be updated when you pay your dog registration fee.
Common changes that might be necessary include if your dog has been desexed or microchipped, or if you have gained or lost a canine family member recently. Keeping your contact details and your dog’s details up to date and recording changes of ownership is the responsibility of the dog owner.
Prices this year remain the same as 2024/25: desexed $69.50, entire $89.50. If you use your dog principally for herding or droving stock, it is eligible for the working dog rate: desexed $52.50, entire $67.50.
If your dog is not registered with Buller District Council, you will not receive a form automatically. Dogs can be registered at council’s offices in during normal office hours, Monday to Friday 8.30 am - 4.30 pm (Westport) and 9:00 am – 4:30 pm (Reefton).
If you have recently moved to the district, you will need to swap your dog’s current tag over to a Buller District Council one.
If you can’t make it to council’s offices during working hours, you can pay online, and your tag will be sent out once payment is received. Don’t forget to have your dog owner number handy – this can be found on your registration letter. Please enter this in the ‘reference’ box.
This year, SuperGold card holders can present their card when they come in to pay and receive a 20% discount on their dog registration fees.
Dog registration is a legal requirement, and all dogs need to be registered from three months of age. Registrations are renewed throughout New Zealand in June every year.
Key dates for dog registration 2025/26:
End of June 2025: Dog owners who have their dog registered with Buller District Council will receive their dog registration form in their letterbox.
1 July 2025: Dog owners can pay their registration fee and pick up their blue tag at council’s offices in Westport or Reefton.
31 July 2025: Dog registration is due.
4 August 2025: A penalty of 50% of the appropriate dog registration fee applies.
Further information can be found on Council’s website, by sending an email to info@bdc.govt.nz with the subject line ‘dog registration', or calling 0800 807 239.
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz
Disclaimer
The information in this media release was correct at time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.