Wellington iwi, Taranaki Whanui, has placed a rahui at Parangarahu - or the Pencarrow Coast - to protect the nesting site of a vulnerable native bird.
The ban covers about 1.7 kilometres of beach between Pencarrow lighthouse and the eastern end of Lake Kohangapiripiri beach, where a small colony of banded dotterel are trying to breed.
People are being asked to stay on the road, and if they have to walk on the beach - to stay below the high-tide line.
Taranaki Whanui kaumatua Sam Jackson says because the number of the birds is declining he felt it was important to protect the site to ensure the dotterel are around for future generations.
Mr Jackson says the rahui will be in place until February.
