Jim Higgins Memorial Walkway
Tokoroa · Waikato · Loop
This walk comes from licensed public walk data and is being progressively confirmed against the authorities. Signs on the day always win. The rule-setter’s own wording: “South Waikato District Council Dog Control Bylaw 2017, Second Schedule, read 8 September 2026. Under “Dog Exercise Areas” the schedule lists for Tokoroa, at number 10, “West side of Lake Moananui”. Clause 8.1 designates those areas by resolution of the Council, and clause 8.2 allows a dog in an exercise area off the lead provided it is under the control of a person capable of physically restraining it and of exercising oral and visual control over it. The east side is not on that list, and the council's own Tokoroa dog walking map says so in as many words: “Lake Moananui Reserve. West side only. East side is a leashed area.” This walk is a circuit of the whole lake, so we have kept the route as a whole at on lead rather than promise off lead ground that half of it leaves behind. The same schedule lists Lake Moananui Reserve among the prohibited dog areas at public playgrounds, and the map marks that playground no dogs at all times. Where a playground is unfenced the council asks that dogs stay 10 metres clear of the equipment. Everywhere else the map's rule for the town applies: “You CAN walk your dog anywhere in the urban area providing it's on a leash with the exception of the highlighted areas.””. Evidence: a hand-checked correction against the authority. How we check dog rules.
Good to know
Dogs are allowed here. Keep them on the lead, watch for ground-nesting birds and stock, and read the signs at the gate.
About Jim Higgins Memorial Walkway
Near Tokoroa in Waikato, Jim Higgins Memorial Walkway runs 2.6 km as a loop.
Worth knowing before you go. The western shore of the lake is one of South Waikato District Council's designated dog exercise areas, so that side of the loop is where your dog is allowed off the lead. The eastern shore is a leash area, and the playground by the lake is no dogs at any time, so come round it wide.
It sits at the easy end and barely climbs, and takes about 0.5–1 hr to walk.
Along the way there are lakeside stretches, big views, and wildflowers. Dogs are allowed here, on the lead. Walkers rate it 4.7 / 5 across 273 reviews.