Keeping safe
We're all responsible for keeping ourselves and each other safe, and for looking after the things that make Kāpiti a great place to live and visit.
Beaches
We all have the right to feel safe when visiting our beaches. We share responsibility for keeping ourselves and each other safe, and for looking after the things that make Kāpiti a great place to live and visit.
Whether it's swimming, boating, walking the dog, riding the horse or lighting fires, find all you need to know about the rules and keeping safe
Responsible camping
Did you know there are nine designated responsible camping sites along the Kāpiti Coast for campers with fully self-contained motorhomes to enjoy?
We welcome Responsible Camping, which is all about caring for our spectacular environment as much as we do. We monitor our freedom camping sites and ask that campers abide by our rules and be respectful of residents and other campers, leave no trace, and help keep our communities and natural environment free from pollution and waste.
Pools and spas
Thinking about buying a portable pool for the summer?
Central government legislation requires that residential pools (including portable pools) that are filled or partly filled with water must have physical barriers to restrict access by unsupervised children under five years of age. This applies to pools that can be filled with water to a depth of 400mm or more.
You can contact Council before erecting a pool or spa to check if a building consent for a pool barrier is needed.
Water quality – is it safe to swim?
We regularly monitor our beaches in partnership with Greater Wellington Regional Council.
Kāpiti's water cleanliness is generally safe for swimming and other water-based recreational activities, but we recommend regularly checking if it's safe to swim.
It's always a good idea to wait 48 hours after heavy rain before you swim again.
Watch as our Laboratory Manager Kim takes you behind the scenes, explaining our forecast modelling system
COVID-19
Our fight against COVID-19 is far from over.
Despite being at Alert Level 1, we shouldn't become complacent. We’ve done a great job getting this far, but there's the potential for people to relax more during summer and let their guard down a little.
Remember the basics – stay home if you are unwell and seek medical advice, keep track of where you’ve been, and keep up the hygiene standards.
It’s especially important to recognise that the pandemic has affected everyone differently, so please keep showing aroha and kindness towards each other. If you can, show your support for our local business community too.
Keep up to date on COVID-19 related news, our services at different alert levels and recovery planning
Doing my bit to keep Kāpiti beautiful
Our community has amazing outdoor spaces in Kāpiti to enjoy summer – get out there and enjoy them! We need your help to maintain this natural beauty, and to keep our spaces safe and clean for everyone to enjoy now, and in generations to come.
Top tips:
- Reduce your rubbish by taking reusable containers when you’re out and about, and take them home with you afterwards.
- Always take a reusable bag when you’re out and about, so you can take any rubbish away with you.
- If a bin is full, take your rubbish home with you and put it in your bin. Don't leave it beside or on top of the bin – the rubbish could blow into the sea or pollute your park or beach.
- If you smoke, take your cigarette butts with you – don't leave them on the ground or bury them in the sand for littlies to find.
- Always pick up your dog's poo and bin it.
- Know where and when you can drink alcohol in Kāpiti, and please dispose of any glass or take it with you.
- To get to your beach, only use the marked public tracks with blue posts.
- Take only photos, leave only footprints – and let us know what you love about summer in Kāpiti!