Proposed amendments to Control of Vehicles on Beaches Bylaw

Feedback closes at 4:00pm on Monday 7 September 2026

A vehicle access point to the beach with tyre tracks in the sand and the ocean in the background.

We want to hear your views on proposed amendments to the Control of Vehicles on Beaches Bylaw.

The proposed amendments seek to provide a balance between vehicle access, the safety and enjoyment of other beachgoers, and coastal environment protection.

Proposed amendments include:

  • updating references to key legislation and organisations
  • expanding the purpose of the bylaw to include protection of the environment
  • moving the restrictions from under Schedule 1 of the bylaw to a Vehicles on Beaches Control (under the authority of the bylaw). This would make the bylaw more responsive to evolving needs and demands by removing some of the legislative barriers to amending the rules.
  • proposed new restrictions at the following beaches:
    • Bland Bay
    • Ōakura
    • Woolleys Bay
    • Matapōuri
    • Whangaumu / Wellington’s Bay
    • Uretiti Beach south of Tip Road
  • exempting vehicles displaying valid mobility parking permits and powered mobility devices from the bylaw’s vehicle restrictions, unless otherwise specified
  • changing the name of the bylaw from Control of Vehicles on Beaches Bylaw to Vehicles on Beaches Bylaw. This is to avoid confusion with the proposed Vehicles on Beaches Control.

Read more about the proposed amendments: 

Statement of Proposal to amend the Control of Vehicles on Beaches Bylaw(PDF, 3MB)

View the proposed vehicle restrictions on our online map:

Proposed beach vehicle restrictions map

Give us your feedback

Please send us your feedback by 4:00pm on Monday 7 September 2026.

Online

Complete the online form.

Control of Vehicles on Beaches Bylaw online feedback form 

By email

Step 1: Download the form, print and complete it by hand.

Control of Vehicles on Beaches Bylaw feedback form(PDF, 315KB)

Step 2: Email us

Attach the form to an email and send to:

BylawsConsult@wdc.govt.nz

Alternatively, you can put your comments in the text of the email or attach a separate document to the email.

By post

Step 1: Download the form, print and complete it by hand.

Control of Vehicles on Beaches Bylaw feedback form(PDF, 315KB)

Step 2: Post the completed form to:

Control of Vehicles on Beaches Bylaw feedback

Whangarei District Council
Private Bag 9023
Te Mai
Whangārei 0143

 

In person

Step 1: Download the form, print and complete it by hand.

Control of Vehicles on Beaches Bylaw feedback form(PDF, 315KB)

Step 2: Bring the completed form into one of our Customer Service centres:

Te Iwitahi (civic centre)
 9 Rust Avenue, Whangārei
Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:00am to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Ruakākā service centre 
9 Takutai Place, Ruakākā
Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30am to 4:00pm
Closed public holidays

Service centre at isite
92 Otaika Road, Raumanga
Hours: Monday to Friday – 9:00am to 12:00pm and 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Discussions

If you would like to present your views in person, you can attend a hearing.

A hearing is an opportunity for you to share your views with Council in person. People who want to do this have five minutes to present their views.

Councillors may then ask questions to clarify their understanding of the points made by the speaker. No decisions are made at a hearing.

If you want to attend the hearing, you need to complete the relevant sections of the feedback form and get it to us by 4:00pm on Monday 7 September 2026.

Please let us know in advance if you require the services of a sign language interpreter.

The date for the hearing is currently scheduled for Monday 21 September 2026. We’ll be in touch to confirm a time with you if you requested to attend the hearing. 

Access copies of the Council reports and associated decisions that have informed the proposed new bylaw so far:

All feedback is considered public under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 and may be published and made available to elected members and the public.

The collection and use of personal information by Whangarei District Council is regulated by the Privacy Act 2020.

Privacy statement

Your feedback will not be returned to you once it is lodged with Council. Please keep a copy for your reference.

All feedback received will be provided to Council. Staff will also review and analyse the feedback received and provide this analysis to Council.

Council will then deliberate on all the information provided and make a final decision on the proposal.

If you have provided your email, we will keep you updated with the process and the final outcome. 

Timeline

Early public engagement

December 2025 to February 2026

Statement of Proposal adopted

Thursday 18 June 2026

Consultation opens

Wednesday 5 August 2026

Consultation closes

4:00pm on Monday 7 September 2026

Hearing

Monday 21 September 2026

Deliberations

October 2026

Final Council decision

November 2026

Consultation document

Statement of Proposal to amend the Control of Vehicles on Beaches Bylaw(PDF, 3MB)

Contact us

Email: BylawsConsult@wdc.govt.nz

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