Waitomo District Council met today to discuss and deliberate on the future of the Council-owned section of seawall in Mōkau at the end of Point Road.

The topic was part of Council’s recent draft Annual Plan 2025-2026 consultation where the community was asked to provide feedback on whether the failing seawall at the end of Point Road should be removed or re-built. 

Council received 38 submissions on the future of the seawall, with mixed views on what to do.

Councillors were initially in favour of renewing the seawall at an estimated cost $900,000 + annual maintenance. However following feedback and further advice, they changed from their preferred option outlined in consultation document and decided that no further ratepayer money will be spent on repairing or replacing the seawall, except for monitoring, clearing debris from the beach after erosion of the carpark and accessway and maintaining public safety.

Councillors recognised that there has been a huge amount of information that they have been able to review that may not have always been available to the public in terms of technical reports and decisions from previous councils.

Discussions included the level of public benefit versus the cost to rebuild or build new, and the sentiment that nature will take its course and erosion can’t necessarily be controlled.

In summarising today’s discussion, Mayor John Robertson says there’s no guarantee a new seawall will last.

“If we repair or replace it, it may last for some years, or it may be severely damaged in a serious storm. We may build it today, and lose it tomorrow.

“When making decisions on spending rates public bodies need to ask the question – is this project for public or private benefit?

“Public benefit exists, for the public who visit the Point, park in the carpark, and use the steps to the beach.  But there are options for the public.  Wall or no wall, they can visit the beach through other pathways and park in other places.  So in my mind, the public benefit is a nice to have, but not such an imperative that Council should proceed to build a wall at considerable cost and risk of failure.”

Council notes the feedback from consultation, including feedback received at public meetings in Mōkau, and thanks those who provided feedback.

The decision discussed at today’s meeting will be formalised on 30 June when WDC adopts the Annual Plan 2025-2026.