Ask Phoebe: Judges Bay dogs face a lot of access restrictions

Judges Bay beach in Auckland. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Judges Bay beach is a wonderful place to go now that the council has refurbished it but there are many dogs on the beach. When I approached a lady and said I thought there was a ban on dogs on beaches between 9am and 7pm she said there was no sign here so it was allowed. Is this intentional or an oversight on the Council's part? Linda Smith, Grafton.

On the parks surrounding the beach (Dove Myer Robinson Park, Judges Bay Reserve and Point Resolution), dogs are allowed under control on a leash.

On Judges Bay beach, during the summer months (Labour Weekend to Easter Monday), in the morning and evening (before 9am and after 7pm) dogs are allowed under control on a leash on the beach and are allowed under control off a leash in the water. Dogs are prohibited on the beach during the day (9am to 7pm).

During the winter months (between Easter and Labour Weekend), in the morning and evening (before 10am and after 4pm) dogs are allowed under control off a leash on the beach, and are allowed under control off a leash in the water at any time. Dogs are allowed under control on a leash on the beach during the day (10am to 4pm).

Detailed signs came down when the upgrade work was done. New signs (detailing the above) will go up as soon as possible.

Council is delighted to note that the Judges Bay redevelopment won a New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects Award of Excellence earlier this month.

Can you find out when the HOP cards are going to be introduced on Birkenhead buses? They currently use a cash or clip card system which bogs down buses as the driver has to process transactions, taking extra time. Jack Harris, North Shore.

According to Birkenhead Transport's website, the company is working closely with Auckland Transport engineers who are progressively introducing HOP across Auckland's public transport services over the next 12 to 18 months.

Birkenhead Transport will notify customers as developments progress. For more information about the Auckland Transport HOP card see: www. myhop.co.nz

With the devolution of the Auckland area cities and counties and the formation of the new Auckland Council, do we still have a city designation, with a coat of arms, etc, that replaces the earlier crest?
Also, are the regalia and mayoral chains worn by the current mayor a new set or a composite of the former Auckland City Council regalia? And what happened to the various chains etc. belonging to former councils within the new Auckland Council area? Were they placed in a museum, or did they just remain with former mayors?
Gordon Brooke, Auckland.

Auckland Council does not currently have a coat of arms, nor have mayoral regalia been created. Rather, on occasions where it is appropriate, the Mayor wears the mayoral chains of the former council that the event is taking place in.

The mayoral regalia of all the legacy councils are in safe keeping in the Auckland Council archives and can be viewed on request. Auckland Council is not currently designated as a city.