After soliciting extensive ‘informal’ feedback on vehicle access to Waimarama Beach, the Hastings Council has put forward its recommended option for official consultation.

Previous rounds of pre-consultation consistently found majorities favouring some kind of increased protection on safety, ecological and cultural grounds.

HDC is proposing extending the existing vehicle ban. The ban area would be extended year round from the current zone (from the southern rocks to the front of Waimārama Domain) to a point about 1.7km north of the domain.

If enacted Council would install new signs at the main entrances to the beach and roll out awareness campaigns to help people understand the rules.

“With this decision we believe we are putting the safety of beach users first and giving more protection to the environment, but leaving access areas for those who use vehicles for recreational activities,” said Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst. “These issues have been building up over a number of years, and the intention of this proposal is to find a middle ground to satisfy all users.”

Local hapū, whose rock blockade brought simmering issues to a head, continue to have serious reservations, as outlined in the following statement sent to HDC by local resident and Ngati Kahungunu Chair Bayden Barber:

“On behalf of Waimārama, Waitangi Hinetemoa Marae and associated hapū we would like to give some feedback on the Council meeting and resolution on June 27. Firstly we support the no-vehicle by-law extending across the full distance of the beach, tēnā koutou. 

“What we don’t support is the opening of access to the beach at Tiakitai road. Despite best intentions and imaginary restriction lines on the beach, we all know that those with beach vehicles with intent will not adhere to the rules, taking us back to square one. The rocks continue to keep vehicles off the beach, this is a fact. 

“We ask that the Council consider alternative options to allow the fishermen to access the beach either by permit (coming down via the Pouhōkio stream access) or putting up a locked gate similar to Ocean beach at Tiakitai road between the rocks where those permitted to fish can access for fishing purposes only.

“As I have mentioned in earlier meetings, the rocks are positioned on the old Waingōngoro stream mouth which is whenua Māori. We have no intention of removing them, regardless of Councils decision because as kaitiaki of our tamariki, whānau and taiao we must do what is tika and pono, but we can work together on alternatives to meet the needs of the fisherman (of which there is only a handful).

“We ask that a meeting be held between Council and Manawhenua to move this forward.”

The proposal is now out for formal community consultation. People can give their feedback at www.myvoicemychoice.co.nz, or can collect hard copies of the information from the Customer Service Centre at Hastings District Council, 207 Lyndon Rd East, Hastings, the Waimārama Store, or from the Hastings, Havelock North or Flaxmere libraries.

The submission period runs from July 13 to 5pm, July 28, 2024.