Kapiti Coast Beach Safety Education Campaign A Success
New Zealand Police Wellington News Release
6:20pm 15 December 2008
http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release.html?id=4587
Agencies involved in Saturday's beach safety education campaign on the Kapiti Coast were pleasantly surprised by the
level of awareness and compliance.
More than 300 contacts with members of the public were made along the stretch of coastline from Paekakariki to Te Horo,
and no infringement notices were issued.
"People were pleased to see us and were genuinely interested in safety and compliance issues," said Wellington Police
Iwi Liaison Officer Clive Puna.
Police, Kapiti Coast District Council, the Ministry of Fisheries, Greater Wellington Regional Council and others took
part in the operation following concerns about under-sized fisheries catches; people exercising their dogs off leads
outside the designated zones; and vehicles driving along the beach jeopardising the safety of other beach users,
especially children.
Warnings were issued to 30 vehicle drivers for driving vehicles in prohibited areas.
"It was pleasing to see the level of awareness and compliance from the local community," Mr Puna said. "We remain
concerned however that mainly out of town visitors believe it is their right to drive vehicles on the beach, especially
at Paraparaumu and Waikanae."
"We were very pleased to be able to take part in the operation," Kapiti Coast District Council Regulatory Manager Ken
Smith said.
"It certainly seems to have been very successful and achieved its goal of creating a highly visible enforcement presence
on the Kapiti Coast's beaches.
"It's an exercise that needs to be repeated again later in the summer when visitor numbers are higher," he said.
Ends