Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw 2024

Staff are currently preparing for the Hearing Panel (made up of Councillors and Community Board members) to hear from submitters and consider all the submissions before making recommendations to the Council.

The Hearing Panel meeting is planned for mid-July. Staff will be in contact with those that have requested to be heard to confirm the arrangements and time slot. The staff report and all submissions received will be available on the Council website prior to the Hearing Panel meeting.

Further updates will be given as this project progresses towards the Council decision on proposed changes to the Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw.

Based on your feedback we have proposed changes to the Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw. To have your say on the proposed changes please complete the survey below. 

What is the Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw? 

Bylaws are rules made by the Council which affect the way we live, work and play. Bylaws are there to help make our district a safe and healthy place.

The Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw has been in place since 2010 to explain what activities are permitted on our beaches and what activities are prohibited. There are also rules and guidelines around some of these activities and how they need to be carried out. If we all play our part we can ensure our beaches and wildlife stay safe and protected now and for the future.

Reasons for the Bylaw 

• The significance of Ashley River/Rakahuri and Saltwater Creek Estuarine Areas
• Protection of Foreshore Habitats
• Protection of Dune Systems
• Safety concerns of beach users, conflicts between different types of recreational activity and public nuisance
• Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri values

2023/2024 Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw Review

During the summer months we offered the public two different ways to give community feedback on our beaches and the Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw to inform this review. Firstly, a survey on the existing bylaw to understand what is working and what needs more consideration. Secondly, a Beach User Survey, similar to the ones carried out in 2019 and 2021. Stakeholder feedback was gained through the Northern Pegasus Bay Advisory Group.

Key messages from the 2024 Beach User Survey

2024 Beach User Survey Full Report

Proposed changes for the Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw 2024

Based on your feedback we have proposed the following changes to the Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw:

• Add Protect the natural and cultural value of the foreshore and estuary environment to the overall purpose of the Bylaw.
• Extend the prohibited area for aircraft taking off and landing off within the Ashley River/Rakahuri and Saltwater Creek estuarine areas to include adjacent beach areas (see updated map on schedule 5).
• Amend the clause prohibiting dogs from the Ashley River/Rakahuri and Saltwater Creek estuarine areas by removing the exemption for holders of Fish and Game Hunting Licenses during gamebird hunting season.
• Extend the prohibited area for dogs to include the entirety of the spit adjacent to the estuarine area to the low tide mark north of the Waikuku northern car park and south of the Ashley River / Rakahuri.
• Prohibit fires and fireworks but allow cultural cooking fires and braziers.
• Remove the need for an agreement with Fenton Reserves/Entitlements Trustees.
• Include a new clause that acknowledges the Hurunui District Council Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw.

Summary of the draft Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw 2024

The issues and associated Bylaw rules are split across the following themes:

1. Vehicles on the Beach (no proposed changes)

- Driving On The Beach

For the safety and enjoyment of all users, and to protect special wildlife areas, there are areas along the northern Pegasus Bay coastal strip where vehicles are prohibited or restricted. Check out the map (page 4) to view the areas you can and can’t go.

Here are some of the key rules related to taking your vehicle to the Northern Pegasus Bay beaches:

• Recreational driving or driving for pleasure is prohibited on any area of the Northern Pegasus Bay coastal strip.
• To protect our fragile coastal dune system, vehicles are prohibited to drive on any dunes in Northern Pegasus Bay
• All vehicles must drive below the last high tide mark, unless it’s unsafe to do otherwise, except at the Waimakariri River Mouth or using a specified access route.
• Vehicles must give way and show consideration to people, horses, other animals and birds at all times
• Approved four-wheel drive clubs may obtain exemptions which allow them to drive on prohibited or restricted areas of the beach for civil defence or rescue training, and for track, beach or facility maintenance, rubbish removal and pest control
• No vehicles are to drive through a flagged surf lifesaving patrol area
• Speed limits apply, you should drive no faster than 30km/h and slow down to 10km/h when within 50 metres of people.
• Access from the Waimakariri District’s northern boundary at Ashworth’s Beach to the Ashley – Rakahuri Estuary is only for the purpose of boat launching or retrieval, fishing, white baiting and mahinga kai gathering.
• Access from the Waimakariri River Mouth to the Pines Ocean Outfall is Estuary is for the purpose of boat launching or retrieval, fishing, white baiting and mahinga kai gathering as well as taking recreation equipment to the water's edge and for holders of mobility stickers.
• Vehicle access is available from the Ashley – Rakahuri River Mouth car park to the Ashley – Rakahuri River mouth during the whitebait season.

And remember, the beach is a road, all the road rules and the law still apply in these areas. Vehicles must be registered and licensed.

 - Motorbikes

Two-wheel motorbikes are prohibited from all beaches and dunes along the Northern Pegasus Bay Coastal strip.

- Quad Bikes

Quad bikes are permitted to drive on the beach as they are classified as a motor vehicle. They can't be used for recreational driving or driving for pleasure, they must be legal to drive on the road and follow the earlier rules for Driving On The Beach.

2. Dogs on the Beach (proposed changes) 

Dogs are welcome on most beaches and areas of the Northern Pegasus Bay coastal strip. However, to protect ecological values and bird habitats around the Ashley River/Rakahuri estuary and wetlands, dogs are not allowed in the estuary or the entirety of the spit adjacent to the estuarine area to the low tide mark south of the Ashley/Rakahuri River Mouth, view the access map (page 7).

Here are the key rules for Dogs on the Beaches:

• Dogs are not allowed in the areas between surf patrol flags or within 50 metres of the flags
• Dogs must be under continuous and effective control at all times
• Dogs which are unable to be under effective voice control around horses must be on a leash
• Carry plenty of poo bags to pick up after your dog

Changes to the prohibited area for dogs in the areas adjacent to the Ashley/Rakahuri estuary are to support the environmental concerns in the area.

3. Horse Riding & Training (no proposed changes) 

- Horse Riding

The Pegasus Bay Coastal Reserve track network allows casual horse riding along back dune areas between Kairaki-Pines Beach and Waikuku Beach.

There are horse float parking areas provided at the end of Ferry Road in Woodend Beach, and at the southern end of Waikuku Beach settlement, off Reserve Road. A key to access the horse float gate at Waikuku is available by permit only and available 12 months of the year free of charge.

To view float parking locations, beach access areas, and areas that are prohibited for horse riding and training, view the horse access map (page 6).

• Horse riding is prohibited in the Ashley River/Rakahuri Estuary area
• Stick to the designated horse trails and give way to pedestrians
• Stay below the last high-tide mark when riding on the beach, unless using a designated access trail
• You should avoid riding through flagged surf patrol areas

- Horse Training

Horse training on Woodend Beach has been restricted to an area extending 3.2km's (2-mile training run) either side of the beach entrance to the Woodend Beach Horse Float Car Park and Access Trail and is subject to a user agreement. Find out more in the user agreement brochure pdf.

4. Swimming at the Beach (no proposed changes) 

Surf Life Saving crews patrol at Waikuku Beach, and also cover Woodend Beach and Pegasus Beach during the peak summer season. The public are advised to swim at these locations.

5. The Ashley/Rakahuri Estuary (proposed changes) 

The Ashley-Rakahuri Estuary is a special place in our district and home to a lot of rare and endangered birdlife. Disturbance caused by simply being in the area rather than specifically chasing or harassing the wildlife has an impact on birds resting, feeding and nesting.

The Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw 2024 is in place to ensure wildlife and the natural environment are not harmed and ensure everyone can enjoy the area's natural beauty.

To protect the estuary, the following are prohibited:

• Dogs (If walking on the nearby stop bank, please use a leash)
• Horses
• Land yachts
• Drones and model aircraft
• Taking off and landing microlights and helicopters
• Vehicles are prohibited from entering the estuary. The vehicle access for whitebait fishing is outside of the estuary and the route prescribed onto and along the beach must be strictly followed.

It is a restricted area for kite surfing and there is a 5 knot speed limit for water craft.

View the access map (page 7) for more details on where the prohibitions apply.

6. Camping & Fires (proposed changes) 

- Camping

Camping, including freedom camping is not allowed in the dunes or beaches of Northern Pegasus Bay. View the map (page 1) showing where camping is prohibited.

- Fires

Fires are prohibited within the bylaw area with the exception of cultural cooking fires and braziers. Exemptions may be granted with prior written approval from the Council.

7. Kite Surfing & land Yachts (no proposed changes) 

- Kite Surfing

The Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw 2016 (amended 2023) restricts kite surfing in the Ashley River/Rakahuri Estuary to a designated area. Within this there is a launch area, transit area and main riding area. View the map (page 2) for more details.

Kite surfing is prohibited in all other Ashley/ Rakahuri and Saltwater Creek estuarine areas.

• Stay clear of bird feeding areas in shallow water or exposed mudflats at low tide
• Stay clear of dry shingle, driftwood, sand banks or islands where birds might be nesting or roosting
• Only use the kite surfing transition area for moving to and from the launch area to the main riding area or the ocean
• Stay 50 metres away from the north-west bank & 25 metres from the south-west bank of the Ashley River/Rakahuri Estuary at all times

- Land Yachting

Land yachts are prohibited between the beach entrance of the Waikuku Beach horse float car park access trail and the districts northern boundary. View the land yacht access map (page 8) for more details.