The cloudy weather couldn't keep families away from Kai Iwi Beach on Friday.
Kai Iwi local Susan says a place near the beach is great for when her grandchildren come to visit.
Although a flag warning people away from swimming at the beach could be seen, the wee ones found a stream to keep them entertained.
"They're having fun here, so that's all good."
They had both just came back from New Plymouth and say although it is nice there, it is good to be home.
Elsewhere on the beach, Keryn Amon was hoping to tucker out his kids at the Kai Iwi playground.
"I just came out here for the kids to run some energy away."
"It's just a cool little playground."
He's hating the weather lately, "But you seem to get away from it out at the beach".
And on Thursday, he says, the beach was packed.
"Every single barbecue was filled with people."
And with the crowd came a few people taking liberties with the rules.
"I think there was a mufti policeman going round giving people tickets for riding motorbikes without helmets."