This work focuses on the existing beach accessways at: 

  • Kāpiti Boating Club 
  • Manly Street North 

Our aim is to improve safety, protect the coastal environment, support compliance with our Beach Bylaw, and maintain access for people who are permitted to drive onto the beach.

As part of this we're working with a range of stakeholders and organisations, as well as mana whenua and elected members, to help identify issues and develop potential solutions. Their input will help shape the options that may be considered in the future.

Once those options have been developed, Council will determine what the next steps are, including whether further community consultation is required.

Why are we looking at vehicle access now? 

Our Beach Bylaw 2021 sets out where vehicles can and cannot be driven or parked on Kāpiti Coast beaches. Monitoring undertaken during late 2025 and early 2026 showed significant levels of vehicle activity at the Kāpiti Boating Club and Manly Street North accessways that did not appear to be associated with permitted uses. 

The monitoring found that:

  • Around 80% of vehicle movements at the Kāpiti Boating Club accessway were not linked to boat launching, boat retrieval or disability parking.
  • Around 90% of vehicle movements at the Manly Street North accessway were not linked to permitted activities. 

As our district grows and more people use our beaches, it's important that we manage vehicle access in a way that keeps people safe and protects the environment. 

This exercise is not about banning vehicles from the beach. We are not considering whether vehicle access should be allowed, rather we’re looking at how access is managed at these locations. Vehicles used for permitted activities will continue to be able to access the beach. 

What vehicle access is currently allowed at Paraparaumu Beach?

Under the Beach Bylaw, vehicles are currently permitted on the beach at these locations for: 

  • Launching boats 
  • Retrieving boats 
  • Disability parking at the Kāpiti Boating Club accessway 

These permitted activities are not changing as part of this project. 

What options are being considered for managing vehicle access?

We're working with a landscape architect, technology providers, mana whenua, elected members and key stakeholder groups to explore a range of options for managing vehicle access. 

Potential management approaches will be assessed for their effectiveness, practicality and ability to support safe and compliant use of the beach. This could include a range of solutions depending on feedback from physical changes through to the use of digital technology, or the status quo.  

Options developed would need to be considered by Council in 2027, before any decisions were made. 

Project timeline

Current timeframes are: 

  • Late 2026: Stakeholder engagement 
  • Early 2027: Development of options and a business case 
  • From April 2027: Council consideration of options 

These timeframes may change as the project progresses.