Rules for driving on Muriwai and Karioitahi beaches

​Beach driving permits

To drive on Muriwai and Karioitahi beaches, you must hold a beach driving permit, which you need to renew each year. See apply for a beach driving permit or renew a beach driving permit.

Road rules on beaches

Under the law, beaches are legal roads, so all road rules apply.

This includes:

• speed limits
• licensing of drivers
• vehicle and motorbike registration and warrant of fitness
• alcohol use
• seatbelts
• helmets
• driving behaviour.

Beaches are policed. You must carry a photo ID and your beach driving permit when you use your vehicle on the beach.

Speed limits on beaches

• Muriwai Beach from Coast Road access to 650m north: 30km/h
• Muriwai Beach from 650m north of Coast Road access to southern extent of New Zealand Defense Force bombing range: 60km/h
• Muriwai Beach at Rimmer Road and Wilson Road access points: 30km/h
• Karioitahi Beach from 1000m north of Karioitahi Road to 1000m south of Karioitahi Road: 20km/h
• Beyond these areas: 60km/h.

Beach driving guidelines

• Take safety equipment, including a spade and a rope.
• Always drive with headlights on.
• Stick to the hard part of the beach below the high tide line. Check tide times before you go out.
• Access to the beach is limited to three hours either side of low tide.
• Look out for partially submerged objects.
• Stay off the dunes - fragile dune systems are damaged by vehicle use.
• Always slow down when there are people or animals around.
• Be aware of shorebirds nesting at high tide.
• No lighting of fires on the beach or dunes.
• You must always have your beach driving permit when you are driving on the beach - having it on your mobile phone or device is fine.