Wild dogs have been roaming Northland’s Te Paki Track and neighbouring tracks on the West Coast between Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Rēinga over the past couple of years. The feral dogs were assumed to be lost pig-hunting dogs that had formed a pack. 

The situation has been monitored by DOC and it’s reported that no dogs have been sighted for several months.

In collaboration with local communities, DOC had previously placed trail cameras on walking tracks.

DOC has earlier dealt with wild dogs in Taranaki and Te Urewera. Feral populations are controlled by luring them to traps with fresh meat or by shooting them on sight.

Recently, sections of the eastern    Te Paki Coastal Track, from Te Rerenga Wairua Cape Rēinga to Kapowairua Spirits Bay, have been closed. This is due to safety issues caused by weather events, not feral dogs. More information can be found on DOC’s website. As yet there is no date for reopening the track.