Wharf champions seek support

Tinopai residents are calling on Kaipara District Council to partner it in the replacement of their wharf.

At a presentation to last week’s council meeting, residents Kristeen Prangley and Louis de Bievre stressed the importance of the structure to the community.

Tinopai Wharf was closed by the Council in late 2023 due to significant structural deterioration, accelerated by extreme weather, with formal announcements and safety fencing going up in January 2024. It remains closed due to public safety concerns, awaiting major repairs.

Prangley and de Bievre said the community wholeheartedly supported the replacement of the wharf, which they described as “the core of the Tinopai community”.

Sitting at the end of the 20km Hukatere Peninsula, on the north-eastern side of Kaipara Harbour, Tinopai was easily cut off during times of extreme weather so the wharf provided infrastructure resilience if boats could dock there, they said.

It was needed by the Coastguard service, was an important heritage and cultural feature, and offered economic opportunities to bring tourists to the region for a unique harbour experience, especially for cyclists.

Prangley said the median income in Tinopai was 55 per cent less than the rest of NZ, so fishing from the wharf was more than just recreation – it was an important source of food for many families.

Some of the issues which lead to the wharf’s closure included damaged and decaying piles, worm damage, corroded fixtures, split bearers and decking damage. At the time, Council said it was planning for work on the wharf as part of the Long Term Plan (2024/2027).

Prangley said the community wanted a new compliant wharf that allowed boats to safely dock and unloaded people and product, and allowed people to fish; the existing breakwater maintained to its original standard; and the road and parking area around the wharf upgraded.

“We want council to work with the community.

“We have created a business development plan and have been organising with the community to help with breakwater materials, labour and equipment if needed, and are in the process of forming a community trust to help with grant applications. We’re also forming successful partnerships with local marae and other organisations for support.”

Tinopai has a growing, small permanent population of around 240 to 300 residents, but it swells significantly to about 2500 during the summer holiday season due to tourism and holiday homes.

The wharf has seen multiple iterations, with the most recent one opening in 1991. A significant wharf was first built around 1917 for fruit export, supporting a large apple orchard development.