Conditions under which permission will be granted for camping on public reserves and public places under Council jurisdiction are as follows:

Casual ‘free' camping will be permitted in the following places:

1. Te Paerahi Beach (Porangahau) - In the Council owned ‘free camp' area situated on the corner of Te Paerahi Street and Puketauhinu Place.
2. Kairakau Beach - Fully ‘Self Contained' motor homes ONLY are permitted to overnight stay on the area of mown grass at the northern end of Kairakau Beach Road (past the new public toilet) beyond the vehicle turning area plus the small area just before the end of the road. The area allowed to be used is clearly signposted. Any other form of camping on any other ‘council' land at Kairakau Beach is NOT ALLOWED.
3. Pourerere Beach, where signposted - permit required. Please note: following community concerns Council has agreed to substitute ‘free' camping at Pourerere Beach during the peak summer holiday season for a system of allocated camping overseen by a community committee from 2004/2005. From 17 December until 6 February each year a $35 ‘permit application fee' applies. For the rest of the year permits must be obtained from Council for any camping at Pourerere Beach but no charge will apply.
4. Aramoana Beach - Fully ‘Self Contained' motor homes ONLY are permitted to overnight stay in the clearly signposted area at the southern end of the public car park area near to the public toilets. 3 parks have been allocated for this activity.

(This in effect excludes all other places such as Whangaehu, Mangakuri and Blackhead Beaches. Camping is also not allowed on the ‘local purpose reserve' at the northern end of the existing Blackhead Beach Public Camping Ground.)

The following conditions MUST be observed:

a) Pourerere Beach users MUST obtain a permit. Casual campers at other areas must notify the Council's Bylaw Officer of their name, address and contact phone number, their intended location and length of stay. The length of stay is not to exceed 7 days.

b) A camp site must be set up in such a way that there is no interference or damage to sand hills, trees or other vegetation growth. No permanent structures will be permitted.

c) Campers must leave the site clean and tidy.

Suitable signs will be erected advising public of (i) areas where camping is permitted and (ii) areas where camping is not permitted.

House rules

• Length of stay is not to exceed 7 days
• Campers must leave the site clean and tidy
• Camp sites must be set up in such a way as to not interfere with or damage trees, other vegetation such as sand dune plants, or disturb nesting birds in the dunes
• No permanent structures will be permitted
• Suitable signs will be erected advising public of (i) areas where camping is permitted and (ii) areas where camping is not permitted.

Casual campers must notify the Council's Bylaw Officer of their name, address and contact phone number, their intended camping area and length of stay. Contact Bruce Kitto on 857-8060 for more information.

Locations

See the map below for beach locations in Central Hawke's Bay.  Click on the icons for more information.  Use the slider and arrows to move the map (or click and drag with your mouse).