Police: Rules apply on beach

The beach is not a playground but a road on which full traffic laws apply

Northland has 3200km of coastline - much of which is used as a playground for motorbikes, quads and other vehicles.

But police are warning the beach is not a playground but a road on which full traffic laws apply - including the requirements that vehicles be roadworthy and drivers be licensed.

It comes after 9-year-old Rowan Willis, of Auckland, died when his go-kart hit soft sand and rolled at Ninety Mile Beach on January 10.

His death followed a string of beach incidents in the Far North in the past few weeks - including a buggy accident on Ninety Mile Beach on December 29, a quad bike crash near Mitimiti, North Hokianga, on December 28, and a sports quad accident near Tauroa Pt on December 24.

"If you're wanting to drive or ride on the beach, the same rules apply as for a highway or a suburban road - there's no exemptions in place for the beach," Northland's road policing manager Inspector Murray Hodson said.

Police periodically patrol the beaches - including doing warrant and registration checks at entrances - as well as respond to reports of bad driver behaviour, he said.

They are also part of the Safe Beach Driving Group (SBDG) - along with Northland councils, Department of Conservation, surf lifesaving and coastal-care community groups - which aims to educate people through radio and on-beach campaigns.

Northland Regional Council transport projects officer Ian Crayton-Brown said after the recent death, "there's still a lot of work that needs to be done" by the SBDG.

The boy was not wearing a helmet or safety gear when he crashed the vintage, home-made go-kart, Kaitaia Sergeant Kevin Anderson said.

The investigation has been referred to the coroner and the family have referred to Victim Support, he said.

"Our main concern is the family - the trauma they are suffering is pretty tragic."

KartSport New Zealand national president Graeme Moore described the death as a tragedy, but said there has been a problem with people purchasing cheaper off-road karts without knowing safety requirements.

"The main message we ask is for people to enjoy themselves in a controlled environment with karts suitable for their size and age.

"KartSport only operates with approved chassis and racetracks, with approved officials. We try to manage our sport in the safest possible way."

Children as young as six could participate but they would be in a kart specifically for their size, weight and ability, as well as decked out in safety gear.