A coastal west Auckland community wants rules for driving on beaches tightened, after recent events.

Auckland Council says the bylaws aren't fit for purpose.

People who want to drive at Muriwai beach require a permit - but data indicated less than a quarter of drivers had obtained one.

Muriwai Community Association co-chair, Clare Bradley, is unsure if  changing the bylaws would fix the wider issue.

"We wouldn't contemplate having a shared pedestrian space where vehicles can be going 60-plus miles an hour on an unstable surface where there are people having picnics and trying to go for a swim."

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