Vehicles on beaches

Driving along the beach or along the dunes is prohibited by Section 7 of the Beaches Bylaw 2018. Coastal erosion is increasing on many of our beaches, and some of this is directly related to vehicle usage. Tens of thousands of sand-binding plants have been planted in recent years by volunteer Coast Care groups, and many of these plantings have been destroyed by vehicles driving over them. In addition, each year the rare NZ dotterel reduces in numbers in the Whakatāne District as beach users unwittingly drive over their perfectly camouflaged nests. These birds are now far rarer than kiwi in our District.

Small boats can be launched into the surf at approved access points, but the launching vehicle must then leave the beach by the most direct route.