Ōtaki Beach and Paraparaumu Beach accessway upgrades

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A timber boardwalk leading down to a beach.Concept idea only – AI generated

Help design accessible and sustainable accessways for our two destination beaches

Accessways are places where people can view and/or get to the beach. As part of our Open Spaces Strategy to improve accessibility so everyone can enjoy our destination beaches, we’re developing plans for beach accessways for Ōtaki Beach near the pavilion, and Maclean Park in Paraparaumu Beach. The plans are due to be finalised by June 2025.

The beach accessways should provide:

  • the ability for everyone, including people with low mobility, to get to or connect with the beach every day
  • greater accessibility for those less mobile, such as ramps with less than 1 in 12 gradients, steps with handrails and stable footing
  • a separation of pedestrians, horses and vehicles, eg, around boat launching areas
  • ramps/paths/steps that can be reinstated quickly after weather events
  • good signage that allows users to locate the accessway that best suits their needs, eg, ramp for kayak, handrails, off-road carparks, and will make reporting damage/service requests more efficient.

We’ve engaged with our partners, key stakeholders and people with low mobility to develop draft concept plans for accessways for both areas. Before the plans are finalised, we want to hear what’s important to our community about providing accessible and sustainable accessways to our destination beaches.

A graphic illustration showing peole walking along a boardwalk beside the beach with a look out deck. Concept idea only – AI generatedKey drivers for the design of the accessways are:

Accessibility:

  • pedestrian circulation – provide direct connections to amenities
  • inclusivity – everyone can get to the beach every day
  • multimodal – provide bike infrastrcuture and separate users where possible.

Connectivity:

  • connections to nature
  • integrate with exsiting infrastructure.

Identity:

  • incorporate the social, cultural and historical nature of the site into the design
  • include features to attract people to the space
  • engage people with the natural environment
  • provide amenities that support people’s use of the space.

View draft concept plans

Concept plan for Ōtaki Beach accessway.View Ōtaki Beach draft concept planConcept plan for Paraparaumu Beach accessway. View Paraparaumu Beach draft concept plan


Example of a boardwalk and lookout over the beach. Have your say on our ideas boards

Please post your thoughts, images and share comments on our online ideas boards for each area:

Each accessway could include extending paths, seating, shade, lights, interpretation panels, accessible ramps, artworks, for example.

Our ideas boards are an online space where you can contribute your ideas, share your imaginitive thinking and get involved in the project. You can upload a photo to help explain your idea, and like other people's posts which helps us see what's popular in our community.

Remember, everyone can see your comments and screen name, but not your personal details.

If you have more lengthy feedback, you can:

Need more info? You can ask a question below.

Feedback closes at 11.59pm, Sunday 1 June 2025


What happens next?

Your feedback from this engagement will help us shape the development of our accessways concept plans for both areas.

After the engagement period has closed, we'll provide a summary of what we've heard and take into consideration your ideas when we finalise the plans.

Construction of the beach accessways could start in 2026.


Keen to stay updated? Register to join the conversation, and sign up for Everything Kāpiti, to get the latest on what's happening across our district straight to your inbox – including events, grant funding opportunities for youth, and other ways you can get involved.

A timber boardwalk leading down to a beach.Concept idea only – AI generated

Help design accessible and sustainable accessways for our two destination beaches

Accessways are places where people can view and/or get to the beach. As part of our Open Spaces Strategy to improve accessibility so everyone can enjoy our destination beaches, we’re developing plans for beach accessways for Ōtaki Beach near the pavilion, and Maclean Park in Paraparaumu Beach. The plans are due to be finalised by June 2025.

The beach accessways should provide:

  • the ability for everyone, including people with low mobility, to get to or connect with the beach every day
  • greater accessibility for those less mobile, such as ramps with less than 1 in 12 gradients, steps with handrails and stable footing
  • a separation of pedestrians, horses and vehicles, eg, around boat launching areas
  • ramps/paths/steps that can be reinstated quickly after weather events
  • good signage that allows users to locate the accessway that best suits their needs, eg, ramp for kayak, handrails, off-road carparks, and will make reporting damage/service requests more efficient.

We’ve engaged with our partners, key stakeholders and people with low mobility to develop draft concept plans for accessways for both areas. Before the plans are finalised, we want to hear what’s important to our community about providing accessible and sustainable accessways to our destination beaches.

A graphic illustration showing peole walking along a boardwalk beside the beach with a look out deck. Concept idea only – AI generatedKey drivers for the design of the accessways are:

Accessibility:

  • pedestrian circulation – provide direct connections to amenities
  • inclusivity – everyone can get to the beach every day
  • multimodal – provide bike infrastrcuture and separate users where possible.

Connectivity:

  • connections to nature
  • integrate with exsiting infrastructure.

Identity:

  • incorporate the social, cultural and historical nature of the site into the design
  • include features to attract people to the space
  • engage people with the natural environment
  • provide amenities that support people’s use of the space.

View draft concept plans

Concept plan for Ōtaki Beach accessway.View Ōtaki Beach draft concept planConcept plan for Paraparaumu Beach accessway. View Paraparaumu Beach draft concept plan


Example of a boardwalk and lookout over the beach. Have your say on our ideas boards

Please post your thoughts, images and share comments on our online ideas boards for each area:

Each accessway could include extending paths, seating, shade, lights, interpretation panels, accessible ramps, artworks, for example.

Our ideas boards are an online space where you can contribute your ideas, share your imaginitive thinking and get involved in the project. You can upload a photo to help explain your idea, and like other people's posts which helps us see what's popular in our community.

Remember, everyone can see your comments and screen name, but not your personal details.

If you have more lengthy feedback, you can:

Need more info? You can ask a question below.

Feedback closes at 11.59pm, Sunday 1 June 2025


What happens next?

Your feedback from this engagement will help us shape the development of our accessways concept plans for both areas.

After the engagement period has closed, we'll provide a summary of what we've heard and take into consideration your ideas when we finalise the plans.

Construction of the beach accessways could start in 2026.


Keen to stay updated? Register to join the conversation, and sign up for Everything Kāpiti, to get the latest on what's happening across our district straight to your inbox – including events, grant funding opportunities for youth, and other ways you can get involved.

  • Ōtaki Beach draft concept plan

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    Ōtaki Beach project area

    The project scope is limited to the area highlighted below.

    Map showing the area that is in scope for the boardwalk and beach accessway at Ōtaki Beach in front of the ball sports court, surf life-saving club to the public car park on Marine Parade. .

    Ōtaki Beach existing access

    Map showing the five current formal and informal paths to the beach in this area. There are five formal and informal paths with varying gradients crossing between the dunes and the beach within the scope of the project.

    Some of the paths change location over time.

    The only concrete path is used by the surf lifesaving club. The partially marked carpark near the surf lifesaving club is used by pedestrians and vehicles.

    Ōtaki Beach draft concept plan

    Concept plan of the boardwalk from the surf lifesaving club to the public car park on Marin Parade with two beach accessways at the lifesaving club and public car park and three lookouts, one in the middle and at each end. NB: the draft concept plan has not yet been costed. The works might need to be staged to align with budget availability.
    The concept plan proposes two formal paths to the beach. These will have a gradient of 1:20, making them fully accessible.

    A wooden boardwalk between the carparks will provide viewing opportunities and places for accessible seating and a picnic table.

    An accessible mat which allows people in wheelchairs, pushing a pram or using a walker to get onto the beach could be included.

    The carpark near the surf lifesaving club will be remarked, allowing three accessible carparks and separating a footpath from the carpark.

    A new concrete path in front of the surf lifesaving club to the ball sports court

  • Paraparumu Beach draft concept plan

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    supporting image

    Paraparumu Beach project area

    The project scope is limited to the area highlighted below.

    Map showing the area at Paraparaumu Beach in front of Maclean Park where the beach accessway would go.

    Paraparumu Beach existing access

    Aerial view showing three existing pathways to the beach that would be in scope for this project from the Northern car park on Marine Parade, Maclean park and middle car park beside the public toilets.

    There are three formal and informal paths with varying gradients crossing between the dunes and the beach within the scope of the project.

    Two paths are protected with post and rails, the other is an informal trail created by pedestrians.

    Paraparumu Beach draft concept plan


    Concept plan showing two beach accessways from the middle car park and the northern area car park and a board walk connecting them between the beach and Maclean Park, with three outlook areas.. NB: the draft concept plan has not yet been costed. The works might need to be staged to align with budget availability.


    The concept plan proposes a wooden boardwalk between the carparks providing viewing opportunities and places for accessible seating, and a picnic table located on the natural high spot.


    Two formal paths to the beach with accessible mats which enable people in wheelchairs to get onto the beach are proposed. The paths will have a gradient of 1:20, making them fully accessible.

    The carparks at both ends of the proposed boardwalk will be remarked, allowing for more accessible carparks. New concrete paths will link the boardwalk to existing walkways.

    Other features of the proposal include handrails, lighting, dune restoration planting and kick rails.

Page last updated: 12 May 2025, 10:52 AM