Residents threaten to close road access to Shipwreck Bay

Traffic warning signs were everywhere at Ahipara on Saturday, including Far North Reap's new speed trailer.

Access to one of New Zealand's most scenic beaches in under threat as residents warn they have had enough of hoons.

The Te Kohanga Trust has threatened to close access to Te Kohanga (Shipwreck Bay) where it crosses privately owned land if drivers do not behave responsibly.

The trust issued a flyer last week saying that driving dangerously, at speed, and showing "total lack of respect" for the dunes and coastal environment would no longer be tolerated by the community, land owners or authorities.

The flyer was addressed to "all beach users, motorbikes and 4x4 vehicles".

Meanwhile the police, including officers from Kerikeri, Far North Reap's road safety team and the Ahipara Beach Patrol, maintained a high profile at Ahipara over the weekend, encouraging safe driving on the roads and beach.

There wasn't much to do on Monday hoiwever.

Rain set in during the morning, leaving the beach and roads all but deserted, apart from a couple of optimistic rock hoppers trying their luck off Foreshore Rd, the odd dog and a council contractor emptying rubbish bins.