3 October, 2025

Rocky, ‘denuded’ Takapuna Beach prompts call for council plan

Rocks littering the northern end of Takapuna Beach after a storm surge have split opinion on the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board.
With some members wanting the rocks removed and the sand graded, while others favoured letting nature run its course, the board finally voted 3-2 to seek a report from council staff.
Deputy chair Terence Harpur backed that motion, put up by George Wood and seconded by Gavin Busch, while board chair Mel Powell and member Peter Allen voted against.
Wood wanted advice and a plan to improve the poor appearance of the beach. Locals had told him this year was the first time they had it in such chronic condition.
Rocks that had previously been exposed only at low tide had been carried higher in a storm surge and the beach had been denuded of sand. He wanted the rocks gone, but said it “comes down to dollars”.
Armed with photographs of a sand-covered beach in 2018 and others showing it littered with rocks, he said there had been a distinct change.
“If this was taking place at Mission Bay there would be a public call for something to occur.”
Wood mentioned that in regard to a previous issue of seaweed piling up, council staff had been reluctant to engage. “We’re always told it is a natural phenomenon.”
Busch said while you can’t argue with nature “at some point a plan is needed”. It was a prime location and “the beach for the North Shore”.
Harpur said he supported having the coastal team involved on options and wanted central council to put money into anything that was decided. “It’s a highly popular beach visited by many people from all over the city.”The beach was showing more underlying clay patches, he said.
Powell warned: “If you mess with Mother Nature she’ll come back and bite you on the butt.” Asking ratepayers to pay for rock removal and for sand, only for this to be washed out to sea, could not be justified, she said. The board would also face costs getting a report done.
“We’re not saying fix – we want a report,” replied Busch so options could be looked at.
Having just walked the beach with his dog, Allen did not consider the rocks caused any problems.
A report, when it is done, will be up to the new board to consider, probably not before summer, with Wood’s motion passed at the board’s final business meeting before this month’s local body elections.
• Election coverage, pages 11-13

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