We have introduced a vehicle-free zone on the beach from Pūkorokoro Stream north to the Hauarahi Stream on the Wharekawa Coast, to help care for and protect an environmentally significant part of the district.
This stretch of coastline is a rare and fragile natural environment. It includes the globally rare Waharau/Pūkorokoro chenier plain and forms part of the Firth of Thames, an internationally recognised wetland. The area also provides important roosting and nesting habitat for shorebirds, particularly around high tide, when they are most vulnerable to disturbance.
We have included the vehicle-free area in our Traffic and Parking Bylaw, which is enforced by NZ Police. Emergency vehicles are exempt. We are producing new signage and will install it shortly to clearly mark the vehicle-free zone and help visitors understand where vehicles are not permitted.
We ask everyone visiting the Wharekawa Coast to help care for this precious taonga by respecting the vehicle-free zone and enjoying the area in a way that protects what makes it special.
