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Following the July public meeting, the Ōrewa Reserve Community Association (ORCA) presented to last week’s Hibiscus and Bays Local Board meeting, calling for a rock revetment to be included in the Ōrewa Reserve Management Plan (Hibiscus Matters, June 30, 2025).
ORCA representatives Chris Carter and Stephen Havill presented three resolutions passed by the majority at the July 24 public meeting held at the Ōrewa Surf Life Saving Club.
They urged the board to reject the “naturalisation” option and instead support the inclusion of a revetment wall in the long-term plan. They said the group had been disappointed by the quality of some advice provided by council officers and requested a collaborative committee be set up to draw on both council and community expertise for the best outcome for the reserve management.
Ōrewa resident Julian Jones also spoke in the public forum and said many locals supported the naturalisation approach.
The board noted the resolutions and confirmed that feedback from the public consultation, which closed in early July, is currently under review and expected to be released next month.
Also before the board was the Shoreline Adaptation Plan (SAP) for Snells Beach to Ōrewa, one of 20 plans being developed by Auckland Council to guide coastal management. The Ōrewa Reserve Future Management Plan (ORFMP) will need to align with this wider strategy.
During discussion on the SAP, board members questioned whether it would be better to delay endorsement until the Reserve Plan consultation results were available. Council coastal management officers Paul Klinic and Lara Clarke were present to address these concerns.
Clarke said as the strategy for the Ōrewa Reserve was “adaptation priority” that meant further discussion was anticipated to consider all the options for adapting to coastal hazards, coastal processes and the longer term impacts of climate change.
She described it as a “living document” that can be reviewed and updated over time and confirmed that all management options “remain on the table”, including revetment walls.
Klinic added that council would respond quickly to any required changes and would support the board’s decision-making.
The board voted to endorse the SAP, with Sam Mills voting against. The endorsement included a statement reserving the right to review the plan at any time, and reconsider future management options after feedback from the public consultation and the local board. It also confirmed that the SAP does not prevent the board from exploring multiple options for the southern coastal edge of Ōrewa Beach.
Clarke said further public consultation may be required following analysis of the feedback on the ORFMP. The SAP now proceeds to Auckland Council’s Planning and Policy Committee for approval.
