Living with the Changing Tides

UPDATE 12 SEPTEMBER 2017: Adoption of the Policy:

Council has adopted a Coastal Erosion Responses Policy to enable consistent decision-making where Council-owned coastal land is affected by coastal erosion or subsidence.

To find out more, check out Council's website and the Decision Story



The Draft Inner Harbour and Coastal Erosion Management Policy 2017 was out for consultation with the community from February to March 2017, and again in April following the Omokoroa slips.

We're currently reviewing all the feedback and will present this to Elected Members in June-July 2017. They'll then make decisions and we'll update the site with the results.

About the policy

This draft policy, if adopted, will become a 30-year policy detailing how we respond as a District to coastal and harbour erosion. You can view the draft on this site.

The draft is based on feedback received through our online forums in 2016, extensive research on the effects of erosion on our coastlines and inner harbour, and discussions with affected property owners, Iwi and Hapu.



The Draft Inner Harbour and Coastal Erosion Management Policy 2017 was out for consultation with the community from February to March 2017, and again in April following the Omokoroa slips.

We're currently reviewing all the feedback and will present this to Elected Members in June-July 2017. They'll then make decisions and we'll update the site with the results.

About the policy

This draft policy, if adopted, will become a 30-year policy detailing how we respond as a District to coastal and harbour erosion. You can view the draft on this site.

The draft is based on feedback received through our online forums in 2016, extensive research on the effects of erosion on our coastlines and inner harbour, and discussions with affected property owners, Iwi and Hapu.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

  • Hi, I have had a look at the erosion and flooding maps and can't find Athenree on them?

    Catherine asked over 3 years ago

    Hi there,

    Thanks for your question - you're right there are no maps for Athenree in this project. We had to limit the number of locations that were specifically mapped to keep cost down - Athenree is one of the areas not covered. But that's not to say there isn't erosion happening in these areas. The nearest maps are probably at Pios Beach across the harbour which may give you an indication.

  • Hi, I am very interest to know what is happening in the way of erosion control at Pukehina Beach. I have been a ratepayer there for 20 years and over the last couple years have asked local councillors for some action on the beach erosion. I am on the beachfront at Pukehina Parade and the erosion of the foreshore in front of our and surrounding property is very alarming . A number of years ago some sand was trucked back in but this year we have seen a dramatic loss of the foreshore yet again with no action. Every year we pay for erosion control on our rates yet we never see any of this used on our beach to control erosion. It seems Pukehina is overlooked everytime any report is published. Can you tell me when some positive erosion control will happen? It seems crazy that we have to watch metres and metres of the land in front of us disappear with nothing being done about it by council. If this had this been managed on an annual basis by sloped sand dunes being maintained I believe we would not be in this situation .

    Pony11 asked over 3 years ago

    Hi there, thanks for your question!

    The decision to rate for erosion control at Pukehina Beach is made by the Pukehina Ratepayers Association every year. At the group's last AGM on 3 January they approved to continue the rates for Pukehina Development Fund Rate and Sand Dune Refurbishment Fund for 2015/16.

    Council collects these rates on behalf of the Association - but it is solely up to them how they want to spend, or not spend, the accumulated funds. If you want to know more about what is being done with this money you could contact the Association through www.pukehinabeach.co.nz

  • Hi, I had a question regarding the recommendations for Tanners Points. Why isn't a rock revetment recommended as a secondary option? The report states it would slow toe erosion and it is financially viable. The only potential criticism is that it could impair boat access, but the recommended 5m base width can generally be fitted between the channel and cliffs without significantly reducing the channel. In addition the rock revetment would also reduce damage from boat wakes. Regards, Hamish

    hamishpd asked over 3 years ago

    Hi Hamish,

    Thanks for your question and offered solution. Careful investigation of this site could come up with solutions different to those in the report - such as your suggestion.

    The report is a high level tool that uses typical solutions which should fit - enabling erosion risk to be compared around the entire harbour margins. We could certainly make a site visit as this process progresses and find your option a better individual fit for Tanners Point.

    That said, any option for future protection works will need to be fully discussed with the wider community, as funding will be a crucial element to be agreed upon.