As a fire safety measure over the height of the Christmas-New Year season the Auckland council closed popular Muriwai beach to vehicles. Driving on the sand is usually allowed with a special permit at the popular West Coast surf beach.
Rodney Local Board Chair Phelan Pirrie and Muriwai Community Association president Simon Leitch both say the restriction has worked well and had ecological and public safety benefits too.
Muriwai Beach at sunset Photo: Simon Leitch