​Horses, bees and other animals

Bees

You can keep bees on any land within the Ōpōtiki district, but council can set conditions on keeping bees so that they don’t cause a danger, nuisance, annoyance to neighbours or to the public or cause a risk to health. It’s important to remember that bees defecate as they leave the hive and this can cause an unsightly mess on neighbours washing, windows or vehicles.

Other notes:

• Beekeepers are legally obligated under the Biosecurity Act 1993 to register their details and apiary.
• Beekeepers should comply with Apiculture New Zealand’s voluntary Beekeeper Code of Conduct
• The sale of honey from bees is regulated by council's health compliance team (for domestic sales) and by the NZ Food Safety Authority (for honey exports).

If you have seen a swarm of bees on private property or on public land, the Bay of Plenty Beekeeper Group has members who may be able to remove swarms. The group also has maps for beekeepers collecting swarms, tutin test results and CoI Inspectors. Refer to their website for contact details.

Cats

There is no legal requirement to register cats. However, we recommend that cat owners have their animal desexed and microchipped.

You must provide adequate shelter, water, food and make sure the animal is healthy and has access to veterinary care if necessary.

If cats have been abandoned on your property by the previous owner or tenant, or for welfare concerns, please contact Ōpōtiki Society for the Care of Animals (OSCA).

We cannot do anything about cats straying onto your property as it is not an offence. The Dog Control Act makes provisions for the controlling and impounding of uncontrolled dogs. Unfortunately no Government legislation authorises Council to manage cats in the same way. The welfare of cats is controlled by the Animal Welfare Act administered by the SPCA.

Pigs

You cannot keep pigs in a residential area unless you have the written consent of Council.

Horses

Horses kept in town must be kept in a fenced paddock. Horses that are tethered, roaming, not cared for, or ridden recklessly are not permitted and may be impounded.

Any horses kept in the township must be registered on the council horse register, and the horse must be identifiable to council (photos or a description of markings) so the council can identify the horse and contact its owner if necessary.

Horses that are kept in the township that are found to not have adequate welfare provisions may be impounded.

Stallions are prohibited in urban areas at all times. If a stallion has been desexed, evidence must be provided to council.

Riding horses in town:

A person may ride a horse in town but it must remain under effective control at all times. It can’t be ridden recklessly or in a way that causes a danger or nuisance or intimidates other people. Riders must also remove any horse manure from their horse. The map below shows the area of town where horse riding is prohibited.

• The section of Church Street between Kelly Street and Richard Street.
• Those sections of Kelly Street, Elliott Street, King Street and Richard Street between Church Street and St John Street.
• The Ōhiwa Harbour mudflats