'An absolute tragedy': Person dies in Northland dog attack

A person has died in a dog attack in Northland this morning.

Emergency services were called to a property on State Highway 12 in Kaihu following reports of a dog attack around 11.25am.

St John responded with one ambulance and a helicopter.

Emergency services arrived to find one person dead, Inspector Maria Nordstrom said.

A scene examination is underway.

"We can confirm there is no risk to the public in relation to this incident and the dogs have been restrained."

A Kaipara District Council spokesperson told 1News its animal management team was working alongside emergency services in responding to the attack.

"The dogs have been secured. At this stage, we are unable to provide any further details or comment while a response and investigation is underway."

In a statement, Local Government Minister Simon Watts told 1News the incident "is an absolute tragedy, and my thoughts are with the victim’s family and the wider community".

"Roaming dogs are a serious issue facing many communities across the country, and I share the frustration of those dealing with them. People deserve to feel safe in their neighbours, they shouldn’t have to carry clubs or bats just to walk their own streets."

Watts said the Department of Internal Affairs was continuing work on multiple approaches to "support better dog control including improving the quality and consistency of national dog-related data".

"The department is also working with the local government sector to refresh and improve dog control enforcement guidelines. This work will ensure consistent enforcement across New Zealand, and updated guidelines are expected to be issued by the beginning of Quarter 3, 2026.

"Following today’s tragic event, I have additionally asked officials for urgent advice on all available options to address this issue immediately."

SPCA chief scientific officer Dr Arnja Dale said the SPCA was "deeply saddened" by the fatality.

"This is not an isolated incident but a fourth fatal dog attack in four years. That tells us we need more than incremental change."

The SPCA called for an "urgent substantive review" of the Dog Control Act 1996 and reinstatement of central government grants to councils to subsidise desexing of menacing and roaming dogse.

It also called for national guidelines for council action after a dog bite incident, and incorporating recognised tools such as the Dunbar bite scale, which assessed the severity of dog bites.

"There is no single silver bullet.. effective prevention relies on strong legislation, consistent enforcement, responsible breeding oversight, desexing, early behavioural intervention and public education," Dale said.

"What is needed now is leadership from central government and a comprehensive, substantive review of this outdated law."