Plastic dog tags are set to become a thing of the past in Selwyn, following the introduction of a New Zealand first metal One Tag for this year’s dog registrations.

Selwyn District Council is joining Wellington City Council and Hutt City Council as the first Councils in New Zealand to introduce the metal tags designed to last a dog’s lifetime.

 The One Tag initiative is being introduced with the aim of reducing the amount of plastic waste going to the district’s landfills.

 Dog owners will still need to pay their annual registration fees, but they can keep using the same tag as long as they live in their Council’s jurisdiction.

Dog registration can be paid online once a dog is registered in the Selwyn system, saving on paper waste.

 The One Tag is lightweight yet durable and comes in two round sizes – 25mm and 35mm. The Selwyn tags will be blue and the back of the tag is blank so owners can get it engraved with their dog’s name or their contact details if they wish at their own cost.

 There are over 15,000 registered dogs in Selwyn, with around 70 new dogs coming into the district each month. The One Tag will support dog owners and the environment, says Council Group Manager Environmental and Regulatory Services Tim Harris.

 Under the Dog Control Act 1996, all dogs are legally required to be registered by the age of three months. Registration falls due on 1 July of each year, and owners of unregistered dogs may be charged an infringement fee of $300.