Minister Andrew Hoggard has announced that new dog tethering regulations come into effect 25 September 2025.

From that date, people must not tether a dog where it results in specific observable signs of suffering linked to prolonged tethering. In addition, certain vulnerable dogs (including puppies and pregnant dogs), cannot be tethered at all, except in very limited circumstances. See MPI's website for details of the new regulations.

As with previous regulations, there will be an education period where SPCA and MPI will work to help owners understand and comply with the new regulations. We know these changes won’t solve every case overnight, but it’s a huge step forward, and one that will permit Inspectors to act in situations where they couldn’t before.

SPCA extends its sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to this outcome, including:

• The 20,000+ supporters of our 2022 Break the Chain campaign
• The 15,000+ who signed the 2023 Demand the Change letter
• Everyone who made submissions during MPI’s consultation
• Chained Dog Awareness Trust and HUHA for their tireless work in this space
• Minister Hoggard, whose support helped bring these regulations across the line

Tethering or chaining a dog describes the tying of a dog with a rope, line, or chain to a fixed stationary point (also referred to as ‘life chaining’ when prolonged). Close confinement of a dog describes a situation where a dog is contained in an enclosure or cage that provides insufficient space to meet their physical, health and behavioural needs.

The current legislative and regulatory framework restricts animal welfare Inspectors’ ability to intervene in many of these cases. SPCA has raised the issue of prolonged tethering and confinement of dogs with MPI and the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee consistently over a number of years calling for better protections for these dogs.

Minister Andrew Hoggard has announced new dog tethering regulations! These regulations will come into effect 25 September 2025.

2025 August New regulations approved by cabinet.

2025 April Minister announces new dog tethering regulations will be announced this year!

2023 August 15,000 people co-signed our letter to the Minister demanding decisive action to progress the regulations

2023 February MPI opens public consultation on draft dog tethering regulations, with the consultation period closing in March

2022 August Petition Select Committee Report supports introducing regulations to address prolonged tethering and confinement of dogs

2022 July SPCA “Break the Chain” campaign sees more than 20,000 New Zealanders take action to call for better protections for chained and caged dogs

2022 April SPCA submits in support of the Chained Dog Awareness New Zealand petition which called for an end to life chaining of dogs and was signed by more than 29,000 people

2021 December SPCA submits Policy Brief to Associate Minister of Animal Welfare calling for Amendment to the Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018 to address the issue of prolonged tethering and confinement through regulations

2018 Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations were released but the final regulations did not address prolonged tethering or confinement of dogs

2015-2017 SPCA calls for dog tethering regulations through written submissions and MPI stakeholder workshop