Horses on the beach

Horses are permitted on all Kāpiti beaches with restrictions on beach urban areas during summer.

You must ride your horse in a safe and careful manner when on the beach. You should only ride below the high-tide mark, or on appropriately marked beach accessways.

Keep your horse out of:

• the dunes, as these areas are fragile and contain breeding birds and erosion-control plants
• flagged surf lifesaving areas
• the estuary and foreshore areas of Waikanae Scientific Reserve (the Department of Conservation prohibits riding here at all times).

When riding on the beach, remember:

• respect the environment and other beach users
• other beach users (especially children) may not understand horses, and how to behave around them
• clean up after your horse where practical; take your horse’s waste home if safe and feasible (eg, from car parks when loading/unloading)
• don’t allow your horse to graze on beach vegetation
• be aware of the other allowed beach activities and their zones.

Watch out for...

See Looking after our beaches for how you and your horse can help protect Kāpiti's significant and sensitive flora and fauna.

back to top

Summer horse restrictions on the beach

Owners may not lead or ride their horses on the beach/foreshore in the following locations:

• from 15 December to 15 February
• between 10am and 5pm

At all other times and locations, a person may ride or lead a horse on the foreshore.

back to top