Ōpōtiki District Council is working to futureproof the Ōpape coastline with construction of a 100-metre-plus boulder wall following erosion late last month.

Approximately 90 metres of coastline was affected with erosion between 1 to 15 metres wide following the severe weather event on January 22. This impacted the sealed road and temporary hazard fencing and traffic management is in place to ensure public safety.

Council staff inspected the area, completed a survey of the damage and developed a plan to repair the damaged section of road and construct an erosion protection structure – a boulder sea wall.

The boulder wall will extend for approximately 125 metres (reaching to the creek) to provide long-term protection and prevent further erosion. Staff have sourced the required boulders surplus from the harbour project and are working to secure a contractor to do the work. Once confirmed, construction will begin.

The council says it will be working as quickly as possible to get the wall in place and has engaged with iwi and hapū representatives to keep them and residents informed.