Foxton Beach Coastal Reserves
This page contains information about the activities and opportunities for use of our community's Foxton Beach Coastal Reserves.
The Foxton Beach Coastal Reserves are environments of national, regional, district and local significance. The reserves area includes sand dune and estuarine environments covering over 200 hectares of land and water. Included within these areas are the dune fields to the north and south, forestry and esplanade reserves, accreting land at the mouth of the Manawatu River and the internationally recognised Manawatu estuary – home to over 110 species of birds and many threatened species. A number of recreational activities take place in and around the reserves.
Who is responsible for managing the reserve areas?
The Horowhenua District Council is the lead agency for the management of the land reserve areas, however the reserve areas are jointly managed with shared responsibilities between the Manawatu Estuary Trust, the Department of Conservation, Horizons Regional Council and Foxton Beach Police and local Beach Wardens.
What is permitted in our reserves?
Map Downloads
Foxton Beach Coastal Reserves Map - Full size Image (PNG, 6 MB)
Foxton Beach Coastal Reserves Map - (PDF, 339 KB)
Strategy Documents
The following strategy documents are available for download:
Foxton Beach Coastal Reserves Management Plan (PDF, 92 pages, 3 MB)
Foxton Beach Coastal Reserves Management Plan Summary for Quick Reference (PDF, 17 pages, 987 KB)
Manawatu Estuary Management Plan
Dogs
Dogs are permitted in some areas – there are on and off-leash areas (see the map). Dogs must be kept under control at all times and are not permitted in the area in front of the surf club carpark or in the estuary or bird sanctuary.
Horses
Horses are permitted on the hard sand of the seashore only. Horses are not permitted on any dunes or dune hollows, the estuary and bird sanctuary or the area in front of the surf club carpark.
Vehicles
Vehicles, including motorbikes are allowed on the beach only on hard sand between the last high tide mark and the water. All vehicles should be registered and drivers must be licensed. Vehicles are prohibited from the area in front of the surf club carpark (during daylight savings hours), the estuary and bird sanctuary and from any dune area or vegetation.
Fires
Please note that there is an all year fire ban on ALL Horowhenua beaches. No fires (including braziers or fireworks) are permitted.
More information
For more information you can download the Foxton Beach Coastal Reserves Brochure below or Contact Us.
Foxton Beach Coastal Reserves Brochure (PDF, 2 pages, KB)
Useful Links
Manawatu Estuary Trust
Horizons Regional Council