Welcome to Waitakere from Mayor Bob Harvey

Dogs have been a part of our way of life in the west for over one and a half centuries, from the earliest drovers herding nomadic herds across the fern-covered river valleys, to the huntaways and eye-dogs of the earliest sheep flocks, and after World War One to the Alsatians and other heavier breeds of hunting dogs. And yes, the Rotties and Staffies of the muscle-car set mythologised by a certain commercial. In the Auckland region, the smaller fluffier breeds tend only to be found in the eastern suburbs of Auckland, disappearing somewhere around the legs of the well heeled.

We love dogs. So long as they run. So long as they're not too ornamental. They've got to be up for it, whatever it is. We like them noisy, but not over the neighbour's fence. We like them friendly, but not running over the streets. Out here they need wide open spaces generally a Chihuahua isn't built for the length and intensity of the long black sands at Piha, Bethell's, and Muriwai. Although I must confess, having been the recent owner of a Chihuahua, they forge along the beach so long as the day isn't too hot for them.

And from Waitakere, the self-styled eco city, the good news is that dogs generally don't eat the native birds and have no problem taking on a possum. We like that. But the reason your organisation, the New Zealand Kennel Club, is coming to Waitakere City next year is to host the National Dog Show in the brand new Waitakere Trusts Sports Complex. This is a state of the art facility for all kinds of competitive events, due to open in July next year. Yours will be one of the first significant events to be staged there and it is with some pride that I look forward to seeing this facility attracting the New Zealand Kennel Club to stage its signature event outside of Wellington for the first time.

With over 12,000 dogs registered in Waitakere City alone and over 300 dogs adopted out each year, the City Council has one of the most active and responsive animal welfare teams anywhere in the country. We welcome you and your dogs not only as part of the long tradition of working and living with “man's best friend”, but also into a strong and developed civic culture within the Council, responding to the needs of pets and dogs in particular.

It will be a privilege to share Waitakere City with you, your supporters and your dogs. There are so many passionate dog enthusiasts waiting to join in with you from the amateur to the professional, from the half-breed to the pure. The event I am sure will be a triumph of colour and sound, watching the best and the brightest perform and gain the accolades of their peers. I look forward to seeing you there.