Hastings District Council has released a new plan for managing vehicles on Waimārama Beach for public consultation.
The Council says the proposal responds to concerns raised over several years about unsafe and anti-social driving, risks to children and other beach users, and damage to dunes and the coastal environment.
It follows consultation in 2023 and 2024 with the community and, more recently, with the Waimārama Working Group, which includes mana whenua and representatives from Police, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Waimārama Volunteer Fire Brigade, Waimārama Emergency Response, Waimārama Marine Club and Waimārama Surf Lifesaving Club.
Council this week agreed to seek community feedback on changes to its consolidated bylaw that broadened Council’s ability to restrict vehicles on beaches, and then a proposed Waimārama Beach-specific vehicle restriction resolution, based on a compromise developed by the working group.
Under the proposal, a mapped area of the beach would be controlled, with vehicles not allowed unless the driver held a mobility parking permit or a Council beach permit. Beach permits would only be available for ATVs. Other vehicles, including cars, utes and two-wheel motorbikes, would not qualify unless specifically exempt.
A one-off permit fee of $30 is proposed, with no annual renewal required. Exemptions would apply for the likes of emergency and surf lifesaving vehicles, and boat launching would be allowed without a permit in specified areas.
The restrictions would apply regardless of which access point was used to get down to the beach. Kahuranaki Ward councillor Elisha Milmine said vehicle access at Waimārama had been a challenging issue for some time, with a wide range of views in the community.
“We’ve heard from people who want greater restrictions on vehicles, as well as people who want to retain vehicle access to the beach.”
“Ultimately this is about finding the right balance – protecting the safety of our community and beach users, while recognising the importance of vehicle access for those who need or value it.
“Waimārama is an important place for a lot of people, and this proposal has come from a significant amount of work with the Waimārama community. Now we want to hear what the wider community thinks before any final decisions are made.”
Consultation will be open for a month from 23 September 2026. Public submissions will be considered by Council alongside other information before councillors decide whether to adopt, change or reject the proposed changes.
