Blog

The Scoop on Auckland: Keeping Our City Clean One Paw at a Time!

Aucklanders love their furry friends, and our city is packed with gorgeous spots for them to roam. From the scenic Botanical Gardens off-leash area to the beautiful off-leash areas at Big King Reserve, our four-legged pals have it good! At Doggy Scoop Squad, we’re here to encourage owners to keep those beloved parks clean to prevent the spread of the deadly canine parvovirus (parvo) which claims the lives of up to 91% of untreated dogs or leptospirosis a zoonotic disease that can be transferred to humans scary! So, let's do our part to keep our parks clean and safe for our furry friends and hoomans alike. 

For your homes and businesses, we can help, and we are only a call or a click away! 

A cleaner home, business and city, means happier dogs and happier humans – let’s keep Auckland PAW-some! 

🏞️ Lloyd Elsmore Park (Pakuranga / Howick)

📍 Address: 2R Bells Road, Pakuranga Heights, Auckland 2010
(near the corner of Pakuranga Road & Sir Lloyd Drive)

🌿 Park Features

• It’s one of Auckland’s larger multi-use parks: sporting fields (hockey, cricket, rugby, etc), walking and biking paths, playgrounds, and open green space. 

• Good accessibility: plenty of parking, paths, and a variety of amenities.

• There is a fully fenced off-leash dog area: Called the “dog park” within Lloyd Elsmore. According to DogPack, it features a double-gated entrance for added safety. 

• It’s in close proximity to other amenities so you can combine dog-time with a family outing: the popular Howick Historical Village is on site.

🐾 Dog Etiquette

Good owners always pick up after their dogs — it’s part of Auckland Council’s responsible-owner rules.
Great owners go the extra mile and call Doggy Scoop Squad NZ to keep their homes and businesses clean!

🔍 Tips for Visiting 

• Bring water and maybe your dog’s favourite toy: for the off-leash area, there is no guarantee of a dedicated dog-water fountain.

• On wet days the ground can get muddy, especially where there’s heavy run-around.

• Even in the off-leash zone: stay alert, make sure your dog is under voice/line-control, since although fenced, you still want things safe for all dogs and all people.

• If you’re planning a mixed outing (dog + family + maybe a walk or playground), check where the off-leash area is located relative to other amenities so you can plan the flow.

What is Sea Bather's Eruption?

If you’ve been to beaches like Maraetai Beach, Cockle Bay or Eastern Beach (or many other lovely New Zealand coastal spots) then you know how idyllic the setting can be: sun, sand, sea breeze — and maybe your dogs waiting patiently for a dip. But tucked into that beautiful scene is an invisible nuisance that can turn a great day out into an itchy, uncomfortable one.

The culprit? Tiny marine critters often referred to as sea lice. Let’s dive into what they are, how they differ from another common rash-cause, the risks (for both humans and dogs), what months and conditions to watch, and what to do when you suspect you’ve been stung.

🐚 In New Zealand, the term “sea lice” generally refers to marine isopods (tiny crustaceans) found in shallow, warm, sandy or rock‐pool shoreline waters. They are typically very small (up to ~ 1.5 mm long) and live near the shoreline, in warm shallow pools or near sand + rock margins. 

🪼 It’s important to make the distinction because many reports of “sea lice” on Auckland’s beaches are in fact cases of Seabather’s Eruption — a skin rash caused by microscopic jellyfish/anemone larvae and stinging cells (nematocysts) rather than isopods. 

🌊 When and what to watch for
These stinging critters are most active during the warmer months — especially December and January — when the sea is at its warmest and there more swimmers in the ocean.

🐾 What to do if stung
If you suspect that you or your furry companions have been stung, rinse off immediately in cold, fresh water to remove any lingering jellyfish larvae. Avoid scratching and soothe the skin with calamine lotion or a cool compress. For pets, rinse and dry their coat thoroughly, and contact your vet if irritation persists. 

🐾 Discover Totara Park & Auckland Botanic Gardens — A Dog-Lover’s Paradise in Manurewa 🌿

Manurewa locals and their dogs are spoiled for choice when it comes to outdoor adventures. Totara Park and the Auckland Botanic Gardens offer some of South Auckland’s most beautiful spaces for dog walking, picnics, and weekend exploring. Whether you’re looking for scenic trails, off-leash zones, or a peaceful spot for coffee after your walk, this area has it all.

🏞️ Totara Park

Totara Park is a 216-hectare playground for both humans and their furry friends. You’ll find:

• Off-leash dog exercise areas where dogs can run free and socialize.

• Walking trails and bush tracks that range from easy strolls to more challenging hikes.

• Open fields and picnic spots perfect for family outings.

• Totara Park Pool — a popular summer destination (humans only 😉).

• Tennis courts and playgrounds, making it an all-ages recreation hub.

Totara Park connects seamlessly with the Auckland Botanic Gardens, so you can extend your walk into lush themed gardens and peaceful walking paths (dogs must stay on-leash in the Gardens).

🌸 Auckland Botanical Gardens

The Botanic Gardens are a stunning destination for plant lovers, offering 64 hectares of landscaped beauty and native bush. While your dog stays on a leash, you can both enjoy:

• The Perennial Garden, Native Forest Walk, and Rose Garden.

• Duck ponds and picnic lawns for relaxing breaks.

• Café Miko, where you can enjoy a coffee outdoors with your pup nearby.

🐶 Keeping Manurewa Clean with Doggy Scoop Squad NZ

At Doggy Scoop Squad NZ, we are proud to service the Totara Park and Botanic Gardens community, making life easier for local dog owners who want more time for walks and less time cleaning up the yard.

Our eco-friendly dog waste removal service ensures a cleaner, safer environment for pets and people. We also support responsible dog ownership by promoting proper waste disposal in all public areas — keeping parks beautiful for everyone to enjoy.

If you frequent Totara Park or the Auckland Botanical Gardens, and love a clean, poop-free home, book a weekly or fortnightly pickup with Doggy Scoop Squad NZ today!

CLICK HERE for a free quote