Local walkers will be pleased to learn they can shortly access the western seawall of Ōpōtiki Harbour to enjoy the views and watch the birdlife from this new impressive infrastructure.

While the eastern seawall has been open to the public since September,  access to the western seawall has been restricted while construction works have continued.

Ōpōtiki District Council service delivery group manager Nathan Hughes said it was important to note that construction work wasn’t yet complete and some areas, particularly around the western seawall, were still busy and hazardous construction sites.

Dredging is ongoing with the material pumped across to the western side of Pākihikura to complete the filling of the former river mouth.

“Construction dredging has, in fact, accelerated in recent months with three machines operating in the harbour and about 60,000 cubic metres of material to be removed.  We need to keep these worksites marked-off and safe for the public and workers on site,” Mr Hughes said.

He said it was not only harbour dredging construction works being carried out alongside the western seawall. At the same time, more than 10 hectares was being re-formed into natural dunes and re-planted, creating native habitat and protecting the beach areas from erosion and coastal flooding.

“As part of this work, there is significant machinery activity forming large dunes, planting, fencing and putting pest-control measures in place. This project is likely the biggest dunes restoration project undertaken in New Zealand, so it is a lot to be proud of but also a lot to take care of. We need the public’s help with that,” Mr Hughes said.

Access to the western wall is pedestrian only until construction dredging is complete in the first quarter of 2025.

Walkers can access the beach at Waiotahe and walk along the sand for 1.25 kilometres to the wall. Walkers are asked to stay on the beach-side of the fences and not cross into the dunes and construction area.

Predator control works are also under way, so dogs should always be under control and stay out of the dunes.

“We have several known dotterel nests, which is incredible news given how precious these birds are and how new this area is. They are difficult to see so we would like people to stay right out of fenced areas,” Mr Hughes said.

The large sheetpile and chain barrier will stay up on the beach in front of the dunes subdivision. While a new access track was being built in time for the busy Christmas season, any vehicles must turn left at the beach and kept out of the western dunes restoration area to provide the best chance for the plants and dunes to establish.

“Currently there is no legal vehicle access to the beach from the Drifts and dunes areas. We are working to change this and get an access point in place before Christmas. An access track is being formed between 69 and 71 Waiotahe Drifts Boulevard.

“Once the vehicles reach the beach, the sheetpile and wire barrier will mean they must turn left and head west along the beach in the direction of the Surf Lifesaving Club.

“Vehicles are not to turn right or go past the fence. It is important we protect that area from vehicles especially while the area is fragile and re-establishing,” Mr Hughes said.

Mr Hughes said once construction works were complete, extra parking and formal vehicle access would be possible all the way out to the western walls and estuary via the existing construction access track.

“Until then, we ask for patience and care from all beach-users,” he said.