Regional council asked to lead scoping of Waikaraka’s wild cattle

By the Explore Whangārei news desk · Published Thursday 12 November 2026

Whangārei District Council will pay half the cost, up to $10,000, for Northland Regional Council to scope the unowned cattle that are increasingly straying onto Whangārei Heads Road.

Where

Waikaraka, along Whangārei Heads Road

Council contribution

50 per cent of the agreed cost, up to $10,000

What to do

Drive as if cattle could be on the road, and report any incident to police

Councillors made the decision at their meeting on Wednesday 4 November. The cattle belong to no one and range over a number of properties and difficult country, and the council says there is no simple fix. Where they come out onto the road, traffic is busy and houses are nearby.

The council has not given a number for the cattle. Getting a better understanding of the population is the point of the scoping work the regional council is being asked to lead.

What has been tried so far

Warning signs are up on the affected section of road, and the council says it is looking at other ways to make drivers more aware. It has been working with the affected landowners, Northland Regional Council, police, the Ministry for Primary Industries and specialist advisers.

What happens next

Once the scoping is done, the regional council is being asked to consider whether the Waikaraka cattle, or wild cattle more generally, should be managed under the Northland Regional Pest Management Plan. It is expected to look at its position at an upcoming workshop; no date has been given. Any hands-on response would have to come back to the district council for approval, according to the council’s update.

If you drive the Heads road

The warning signs alert drivers but cannot physically keep the herd away, so the council’s advice is to drive as though cattle could be on the road and be ready to stop.

Explore Whangārei news desk: news@explorewhangarei.co.nz. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we’ll correct it.