This should make it unambiguous to visitors, and some locals, what the rules are. Of particular note:
- No vehicles are allowed south of the Olliver Grove Entrance
- North of Olliver Grove the vehicle speed limit is 20 km/h
- No motorbikes are allowed anywhere
- Remove your dog’s poo – otherwise face a $300 fine
- Restrictions on horses and dogs apply in different areas at different times of year (between 1 December and the end of Daylight Saving Time, and the rest of the year).
What is of concern is that during the summer months there in NOWHERE safe to walk a dog ON A LEAD ON WAIKANAE BEACH. We are forced to walk dogs on leads in the OFF LEAD area – which makes it unsafe for the on-lead dog when they are approached by off-lead dogs who are not in the control of their owner. There are many dogs who can only safely be walked ON a lead because they are very young and still in training mode or very old and arthritic and its better to walk them on a lead for their own safety or for certain types of breeds eg small terriers and the like, who sometimes get distracted and do not necessarily come when called. This means that for the entire summer we are forced off the beach with our on lead small dog – because we cannot walk between the hours of 7pm and 10am. This has been going on for years and for years I have complained to the Council and the Dog Rangers – who are all aware that it is not desirable to mix up ON LEAD dogs with OFF LEAD dogs. A great majority of the OFF LEAD dogs on Waikane Beach are NOT IN THE CONTROL OF THEIR OWNER. I have had many instances where I and my on lead canine companion have had to get off the beach because of the bad behaviour of an off lead dog and the bad behaviour of its owner who refuses to get it under control and away from my dog. There are many people like us who can no longer walk their dogs on a lead in various parts of Kapiti because of the selfishness of other dog owners who simply refuse to get their large breed, off lead dogs, under control.