Vehicles on the beach
Kāpiti beaches are shared spaces – as a community, we want everyone to be able to enjoy them safely together.
Vehicles are not permitted on most beaches in Kāpiti.
Two-wheeled and off-road motorbikes are not permitted on any beach, foreshore or dune areas.
Exempted vehicles are:
- vehicles launching or retrieving boats in an authorised boat launching area
- land yachts/blocarts in the authorised area
- emergency and law enforcement vehicles
- lifesaving vehicles
- Council vehicles on official business.
Parking in boat launching areas | Permitted driving/parking zones | Watch out for... | Accessways and driving zones | Reporting vehicles | Related links |
Parking in boat launching areas
Vehicles may only be parked in boat launching areas if they:
- are launching or retrieving boats
- display a valid mobility sticker (Kāpiti and Waikanae Boating Club launch areas only).
Other vehicles (except two-wheeled and off-road motorbikes, which are not permitted on any beach area as outlined above), may only park in beach areas where driving is allowed.
Permitted driving/parking zones on the beach/foreshore
Other vehicles (other than two-wheeled and off-road motorbikes) may drive or park:
|
On the… |
from the… |
to the… |
|
foreshore |
official beach access point at Olliver Grove, North Waikanae |
official beach access at the southern end of Rodney Avenue, Te Horo. |
|
shingle track through the reserve beside the foreshore |
northern bank of the Ōtaki River mouth |
official beach access opposite 100 Marine Parade, Ōtaki Beach. |
|
foreshore |
official beach access point opposite 8 Marine Parade, Ōtaki Beach |
northern boundary of the Kāpiti District. Note: the Waitohu Reserve area is outside the limits of the foreshore and is off limits to all vehicles. |
Vehicles on the beach must keep to the permitted driving areas, and:
- use an authorised vehicle accessway, at no more than 10km/h (this speed limit also applies to boat launching areas)
- drive in a safe and careful manner in permitted driving areas, at no more than 20km/h, and with consideration for all other beach users
- give way to pedestrians, bathers, horses and dogs at all times
- not block access for other beach users
- keep out of all dune areas, as they are fragile and contain breeding birds and erosion-control plants.
Note: Council can issue a parking fine of $40 to anyone not following these parking restrictions; Police can issue a fine of $150 to anyone driving in an area where vehicles are prohibited.
Watch out for...
See Looking after our beaches for how you can help protect Kāpiti's significant and sensitive flora and fauna.
Accessways and driving zones on the beach foreshore
Reporting vehicles on the beach
Council officers and local Police actively patrol beach areas, but can’t be everywhere at once. You can always call the Kāpiti Coast District Council, and the following agencies also need to be advised.
| If a vehicle or motorbike is... | call... |
| driving in a no-driving beach area, or beach reserve (dunes etc) | Police (105) immediately |
| driving in the Waikanae Scientific Reserve | |
| below the high tide mark |