Summer is the time of the year when most people around the country flock to the beach.

New Zealand beaches are regarded as public roads, with many being able to be driven on.

In Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty no vehicle use is allowed in Indigenous Biological Diversity Area A in the coastal marine area, says the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

In other areas, vehicles can drive on the foreshore (area below spring high tide - the "wet", firm sand part) for these activities:

-Surf lifesaving operations.

-Emergency situations like fire-fighting, oil spills, rescue operations, salvage of vessels and sea mammal strandings.

-Burial of dead animals by the Department of Conservation or local council.

-Launching or retrieving vessels.

-Transporting recreational equipment to the water's edge.

-Coast Care and Estuary Care projects (unless part of mangrove management activities).

-Defence Force activities (prior notice must be given to Bay of Plenty Regional Council, the Department of Conservation and adjacent territorial authorities).

-Certain projects carried out by local councils, Government, and educational institutions. For example:

-Monitoring and data collection

-Maintenance of infrastructure and facilities

-Law enforcement activities

-Beach grooming

-Removal of litter.

-Use of land yachts.

-Setting up and running temporary recreational events (that are permitted by Rule SO 1).

-Access for people with disabilities.

-Otherwise vehicle users need a consent from Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

Vehicles on Beaches - Local Rules:

District and City Councils also control vehicle use on beaches. Follow the links below for the relevant rules and information about vehicles on beaches in your district:

Tauranga City Council: Vehicles and horses on beaches in Tauranga City

Quadbikes may be driven on the beach with the permission of Tauranga City Council, and provided they use the vehicle access point between 105 and 107 Karewa Parade.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council: Rules for beaches from Te Puru creek north of Waihī Beach to Otamarākau, minus the Tauranga City Council area.

Vehicle access is largely permitted in WBOPDC reserves at current vehicle access points or if the appropriate permit has been received for vehicle crossings. There are exceptions to this rule:

Vehicle access is restricted in the following locations:

-Three Mile Creek reserve

-Waihī Beach Surf Club reserve

-Kauri Point scenic reserve

-Levley Lane reserve and accessways

-Huharua

-Park Road reserve (Katikati Ward)

-Pukehina Ocean reserves (Maketū Ward)

-Seabreeze Park (Maketū Ward).

Whakatāne District Council: Rules for beaches from Otamarākau to Ōhope Spit

The WDC Beaches Bylaw 2008 largely prohibits the use of vehicles on beaches (apart from emergency service vehicles), unless prior permission is granted by Council.

Vehicle use is also restricted on Biodiversity Sites BS67A Ōhope Spit and BS71A Otamarākau-Matata-Whakatāne Dunes shown on Planning Maps 106A, 107A, 125A, 127A, 505A and 506A. This restriction is in place between September 1 and January 31. It is for the protection of nesting birds and there will be signs set up at the beaches with this restriction.

Ōpōtiki District Council: Rules for beaches from Ōhiwa to Cape Runaway

The ODC Beach Bylaw 2008 outlines that most of the district's beaches are vehicle permitted areas as long as users follow certain conditions.

ODC has created some vehicle prohibited areas where no vehicles are permitted. These locations include any part of Ōhiwa Harbour within the ODC boundary, the mudflats of Waiotahi river estuary, an area of Waiotahi Beach, and an area of Tirohanga Beach. Maps of these zones can be found in the Beaches Bylaw.

There is an area at Ōhiwa Spit where vehicle use is restricted during the period from December 26 to January 31.

When driving on the beach, make sure you pay attention to your surroundings, look after your vehicle and for others.

If you are unsure, check for any rules the local council may impose on the particular beach to which you are going on.

Make sure you stick to the hard sand nearer the water, but don't get to close.

Be aware of how fast you are going. Beaches are public roads with set speed limits and the same road rules apply.

Look out for others using the beach. There will be people fishing, walking or sunbathing and there will also be birds seals and other animals.

Try and avoid driving through puddles as you don't know how deep they do. Motorists driving along Ninety Mile Beach, in the north of the North Island has found that one out the hard way.

Make sure you know when the tide is coming back in. This can make it tough or impossible to get back.

Once you get home, make sure you hose down your vehicle. The salt and sand can speed up corrosion, especially to its undersides.