From Freedom to Restriction
Monte Cecilia Park — in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau — remains one of Auckland’s most loved dog-walking destinations. It’s a daily meeting ground for children, neighbours, and dog lovers alike, a place where community thrives.
On 1 August 2025, the Communities and Residents (C & R) majority on the Puketāpapa Local Board voted to remove Monte Cecilia Park’s small off-leash “bowl” and impose an on-leash-only rule across the entire park, disregarding over a thousand community voices.
But the community pushed back. We took action — and we won a crucial interim order from the High Court that stopped the board from enforcing the on-leash rule. For now, the park stays open, off-leash, and full of life!
And the fight continues: the High Court is now scheduled to hear our arguments on 24 and 25 February 2026, a pivotal moment in ensuring the community’s voice is respected and Monte Cecilia Park remains a place of freedom and connection.
Since that vote, Monte Cecilia was lumped in with five other parks—including Underwood, Freeland, and Walmsley Reserves—set to lose off‑leash access under new Puketāpapa dog rules, despite strong public backing.
Advocates stressed Monte Cecilia is more than a dog park—it’s a hub of community life. In February, teachers, police, young mothers, academics, and recent immigrants told the Board how its bowl‑shaped terrain keeps dogs safe and neighbours connected.
Council staff and a dog‑walking assessment recommended a balanced fix: clearer signage, marked boundaries, and peer‑to‑peer compliance. The Board ignored this, imposing a blanket ban. City Vision members condemned the heavy‑handed move, noting it punished responsible owners. Their workable alternatives—like a fenced zone—were dismissed in a 4–2 vote.
Born in Monte Cecilia’s beloved off-leash “bowl,” this movement has become a formidable force—proving that when a community’s cherished meeting place is taken without regard for due process, people unite to demand transparency, accountability, and a voice at the table.
It’s time to take a stand.
