Aotearoa Politicians and Councillors: have the courage and ban recreational cars on all beaches, to conserve ‘Clean and Green’ Aotearoa.
Arguments For Restricting Cars on Beaches:
– Endangers fellow beachgoers, especially children.
– Kills humans, including Madison Marie Chamberlain who died in January 2024 in Muriwai.
– Kills wildlife, including endemic and endangered species.
– Decimates shellfish, including toheroa (surf clams).
– Decimates bird nests.
– Erodes sand dunes.
– Disturbs and frightens wildlife.
– Wildlife become accustomed to cars on beaches and in their habitats and wander on to the road – as seen with New Zealand sea lions/pakake.
– Creates pollution – including air, noise and rubbish.
– Degrades coastal ecosystems.
– The multitude of scientific studies on the negative impacts of cars on beaches.
– It is a relic of the past, when cars were not nearly as large and powerful.
Arguments Against Restricting Cars on Beaches:
– Tour operators traversing the beach as part of their tour.
– Disability access.
– Home/whare access in a few settlements around Aotearoa.
– “It is my democratic right.”
– “As tax-payers we have the right to do what we want.”
– “We’ve done this forever.”
– “We are not the one’s recklessly driving on beaches, so why should we be punished?”
– “I enjoy the beach by driving on it.”
– “There are already too many laws in New Zealand.”