Visitor Information

Welcome to Waitarere Beach! The Waitarere Beach Progressive and Ratepayers Association Inc. has created this guide to ensure your safety and enhance your visit to our unique and beautiful beach.

For locals, Waitarere Beach is one of the few places in New Zealand where you can drive directly to your favourite fishing or picnic spot. This is a privilege, and it can be revoked if misused.

Important: The beach is classified as a road, so all vehicle and road regulations apply here.

Vehicle Guidelines:

• Registration & Licensing: If you're driving on the beach, your vehicle must be registered, warranted, and operated by a licensed driver.
• Speed Limit: A strict 30 km/h speed limit is in place across the entire beach, including entrance roads and in front of the township. This limit is actively enforced.
• Quad Bikes, Trail Bikes & Beach Buggies: Must be registered, and drivers must be licensed and wear helmets as required by law.
• Prohibited Activities: Performing "donuts," wheelies, or similar stunts is illegal under the Land Transport Amendment Act 2003. Land Yachts are classified as vehicles, and a designated area for their use is located north of the residential area.
• Protected Areas: The sand dunes, beachfront reserve, and Manawatu Estuary mudflats are protected. Fines can be issued for driving in these areas.
• Waitarere Forest: Both the North and South forests are private property. While pedestrians and cyclists are welcome, no unauthorized vehicles or motorbikes are allowed.
• Beach Patrols: Volunteer Beach Traffic Wardens and Litter Wardens, authorized by the Horowhenua District Council, patrol the beach year-round to ensure safety.

Remember, pedestrians and children have the right of way at all times. Please follow speed limits, surf patrol notices, and instructions from beach wardens.

Parking:

• Public Parking: Available at the Surf Club or directly on the beach (see Driving Hints below for more details).
• Security: Always lock your vehicle and ensure valuables are out of sight.
• No Parking on Yellow Lines: Do not park on yellow lines on entrance roads. This is important for vehicle access and emergency services.

One-Way Traffic System:

On busy days, the Horowhenua District Council Traffic Plan allows our Wardens to implement a one-way traffic system. Look out for appropriate signage when in place.

Driving Tips:

• Check Tide Times: Before driving onto the beach, check tide times to avoid getting stuck.
• Track the Vehicle Path: Drive near the center of the beach and follow existing vehicle tracks where possible.
• Avoid the Surf Line: Driving too close to the surf or driftwood is risky for both your vehicle and the environment.
• Worm Holes: The beach has areas with "worm holes" that can behave like quicksand – drive carefully!
• Soft Sand: To drive through soft sand, use low gear, maintain a steady speed, and avoid sudden stops, sharp turns, or over-accelerating.

Swimming:

• Levin Waitarere Surf Life Saving Club members patrol the area in front of the surf club in summer. For your safety, it is advisable to swim between the flags. (Refer to Hazards below.)

Toilet and Changing Rooms:

• These are located in the Surf Club Carpark, and a public toilet is located at Waitarere Domain.

Boat Launching:

• An area is set aside for this 200m north of the main entrance. Keep watch for submerged debris at sea and swimmers off the beach.

Fishing:

• The types of fish caught in the area include: Kawhai, Red Cod, Snapper, Barracuda, King Fish, Herrings, Sharks, Elephant Fish, John Dory, Gurnard, Flounder, Mackerel, Trevalli, Blue Cod, Frost Fish, and Whitebait. Shellfish include Pipi’s and Clams.

• Popular fishing methods include boating, Kontikis, surfcasting, and netting, shellfish (hand collection only), and Whitebaiting in the Manawatu River just north of Waitarere Beach.

• Please remember to be respectful of other users on the beach and fish outside the most popular swimming spots.

• Kontikis must not be launched in front of the houses.

Surfing and Jet Skis:

• Please keep well clear of the patrolled swimming area.

• Jet Skis – maximum speed is 5 knots within 200 metres of the beach. The skipper of any powerboat such as jet skis capable of over 10 knots must be at least 15 years old. Familiarise yourself with boating rules by visiting MARITIME NZ 

Dogs:

• Dogs are permitted on the beach without a leash as long as you can control them. Please keep dogs out of the patrolled swimming area between the flags during the period of Daylight Saving times.

• Dogs are not permitted at Waitarere Domain and Holmwood Park.

Parks:

• Waitarere Domain offers a range of sporting and recreation opportunities including tennis courts, a playground, and a skating half-pipe. There is space to play sport, a community Scout Hall, a public BBQ, and toilets. No dogs allowed.

• Holmwood Park is a small park situated at the southern end of Park Ave. Near to the beach, it features play equipment including swings and slides, a picnic area, rugby goal posts, and a volleyball net. No dogs allowed.

Fires:

• Waitarere is surrounded by forests.

• A “Total Fire Ban” therefore covers the entire beach and foreshore dunes. In a restricted season within the Waitarere Area, permits are required for open fires and braziers. Permits are available from FENZ at www.checkitsalright.nz Gas BBQs are OK. A free BBQ is provided in the Domain for your enjoyment.

Liquor Ban:

• A Liquor Ban covering the township and beach applies on Guy Fawkes night and New Year’s Eve.

Litter and Toxic Waste:

• Please use the bins provided for litter, especially glass; or take it home with you. These bins are NOT for domestic household rubbish. Household rubbish collection is on Monday mornings. Bags are available from the Four Square shop. The Recycling Transfer Station behind the Surf Club is for mixed recycling and glass. It is illegal to dump rubbish, including green waste, on the beach or around the village.

• If you see anyone dumping rubbish illegally, you can report them by phoning Horizons at 0508 800 800.

• If you come upon toxic waste (i.e., chemical containers, oil, or pollution) washed up on the beach, please ring 0508 800 800 (Horizons Regional Council) and report the location immediately.

• Similarly, if you see rubbish/green waste dumped on the beach, please ring 06 3660999 (Horowhenua District Council) and report the location.

Hazards:

• Rips and Holes: As with all ocean beaches, rips can develop unexpectedly, causing a swimmer to be swept into deeper water. If caught (scary as it may be), don’t panic. Raise your arms to attract attention, relax, float, and drift with the current. It will release you, and you can surf back to shore. Only a strong swimmer should attempt a rescue in a rip. More rescuers than swimmers drown in rips. In an emergency, CALL 111.

• Bluebottles (Portuguese Man O’ Wars): These wash onto the beach occasionally in great numbers and can cause a painful sting if stepped on or encountered in the water. Remedy: Remove any visible barbs, flush the wound with fresh water, and apply antiseptic or sting cream. Do not apply vinegar or saltwater.

• Stingrays: These come close inshore to bask in the shallows in hot weather and can give you a nasty reflex whack with their tails if stepped on. Don’t rush into the water, wade in slowly, and the stingray will move out of your way. Remedy if attacked: Clean the wound, wrap in an antiseptic bandage, and consult a doctor. Stitches are usually required.

• Dangerous Driving: Drivers who endanger the safety and enjoyment of beach users are not welcome on Waitarere Beach. Help us make the beach safe for all to enjoy by taking registration numbers and reporting immediately to the Police (Dial 111). The Police are supportive of our efforts to stop irresponsible driving on the beach. During the Christmas period, you can also report offenses to the Community Constable stationed at the beach.