In southern New Zealand/Aotearoa, from November to February annually is New Zealand sea lion/pakake breeding season and yellow-eyed penguin/hoiho chick hatching/guarding season. In addition, a juvenile elephant seal/mirounga leonine took up residence in the Clutha Region; therefore, it is essential that strong vehicle restrictions on beaches are in place.
On the 1st of January 2023, the Clutha District Council’s ‘Vehicles on Beaches Bylaw’ came into effect.
I initiated vehicle restrictions on beaches in the Catlins in June 2020, after witnessing people harassing pakake in their vehicles on Cannibal Bay.
The proposal polarized the community, and posed the question: Which should take priority: humans right to drive on beaches or wildlife’s right to exist in peace?
Now, Mayor Bryan Cadogan has stated, “There have certainly been quite a number of incidents since it came into effect, and evidence suggests these perhaps was a greater opportunity to provide protection to these key components of our district’s natural environment that wasn’t taken at the time.”
In the one year since the ‘Vehicles on Beaches’ Bylaw came into effect, there were 39 reported vehicular vandalism incidents on beaches in the Clutha Region – 19 of which took place over the summer.
Do not race your vehicles along beaches. First and foremost to being our playground, beaches are home to endangered wildlife including pakake, and hoiho. Safeguard your backyard and beachgoing experience by treating other people and wildlife with respect, by walking on the beach.
Photo: Sian Mair, taken from a safe distance and zoomed in on.