Taking a dog into Nelson Lakes National Park has resulted in a $500 fine for a Christchurch man and the Department of Conservation says the incident was particularly concerning because dogs pose a danger to kiwi living in the national park.

The 29-year-old man had pleaded guilty to a charge of allowing his dog to be in a national park, in breach of the National Parks Act 1980, and was sentenced today in Christchurch District Court. As well as the fine, the man was ordered to pay court costs of $130.

The man had been seen by a DOC staff member with two other people and his Jack Russell terrier in a boat on Lake Rotoiti on 6 January. A DOC ranger had told the man the previous day the dog was not allowed in the national park, including on a boat on Lake Rotoiti which is part of the national park.

DOC Nelson Lakes Area Manager Alison Rothschild said it was particularly important to keep dogs out of Nelson Lakes National Park since kiwi had been reintroduced there three years ago.

"Dogs are known to kill kiwi and we are urging the public to help us protect the kiwi at Nelson Lakes by not taking dogs into the national park. The park’s great spotted kiwi population is small, numbering just 18. It includes three juveniles bred at Nelson Lakes, the youngest a chick now around seven months old, and they are especially vulnerable.

"The kiwi move around in areas where people go, including close to Lake Rotoiti and the Kerr Bay camping and picnic area, with kiwi droppings once even found in Kerr Bay car park. This means that even in outer areas of the park dogs are a danger to kiwi.

"Dogs are not allowed anywhere in Kerr Bay except on the road or footpath where they must be kept on a leash and under control at all times.

"Because of the risk dogs pose to kiwi, we treat very seriously incidents of people taking dogs into Nelson Lakes National Park. People who do so risk prosecution and the penalties for the offence are a fine of up to $10,000 or jail for up to 12 months."