A community-led safety initiative will see a gate trialled at the Airini Road vehicle entrance to Waimārama Beach this summer – to discourage vehicle use on the beach.

The community group has representation from local marae and hapū, Ngāti Kahungunu, residents, Waimārama Fire Brigade, Waimārama Surf Life Saving Club, Waimārama Marine Club, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, and Waimārama Civil Defence.

A camera will be installed at the gate to record vehicle movements. This is not for enforcement. It will provide information on how the community responds to the request, which will be added to other data considered by Council in a planned review of the beach bylaw next year.

Alongside existing legal requirements, as described below, the Waimārama Working Group is asking that cars, utes and motorbikes are kept off the beach at all times. Quad bikes used to carry fishing gear are the exception to the request; noting that when the bylaw is active, they can only use the gate to access the beach north of Pouhokio Stream.

This working group’s request cannot be enforced, as driving on the beach is allowed outside the bylaw area and bylaw hours. Rather, it is hoped the gate and its safety message sign will discourage drivers from taking vehicles on the beach.

Bylaw and road rules remain in place

The Hastings District Council Waimārama Beach Bylaw remains unchanged. Under the bylaw, all vehicles are prohibited on the section of beach between the southern rocks and the front of Waimārama Domain, as signposted, between 8am and 8pm every day, from Labour Weekend until 30 April.

Under the NZ road rules, which govern driving on beaches, all vehicles must also comply with New Zealand road rules. This means vehicles must be warranted and registered, drivers must be licensed, and the maximum speed is 20kmh.