South Cove Wharf Upgrade
Major maintenance work on South Cover Wharf is scheduled to start 28th April 2025 and is expected to take 4-6 months. Details of the work are further below. For the first couple of weeks it is expected that the wharf will operate normally but, after that, there will be no access from 7:45am until 4pm (Monday to Friday) whilst work is undertaken. Whilst these restrictions are in place there will only be a ferry at 7:30am and 4:30pm. The community will be kept up to date with weekly updates from Auckland Transport. If there is an emergency the crew will quickly reinstate access with a temporary gangway.
The work being undertaken includes:
Removing and replacing 100m of wharf structure
Replacing all decking, the shed, handrail posts and various other wharf structures
Wrapping piles and replacing cross-bracing under the wharf head
The renewal of South Cove Wharf is complex and will take approximately four to six months to complete, subject to weather conditions. A temporary gangway will be installed over the sections under repair, allowing ferry and water taxi services to continue operating in the mornings and afternoons. When maintenance works take place, the wharf will be non-operational. Residents are asked to plan their trips to and from the island accordingly. The contractors will help facilitate emergencies and grocery deliveries where possible.
If you have any questions regarding the work, please contact Auckland Transport directly at: ATEngagement@at.govt.nzor for more information and updates, visit: haveyoursay.at.govt.nz/kawau-island-wharf-upgrade
Update 16/5/25 - 26 out of 50 piles and 6 pile sleeves have been installed. Further deliveries were made to South Cove to enable crews to continue their progress.
From next week on, please avoid using the wharf between 7:30am to 4:30pm due to construction hazards. This is necessary to keep everyone safe as well as ensure that our contractor is able to continue works as efficiently as possible. Access during these hours should be restricted to emergencies only, in which case, please speak with the site supervisor if passing through the construction area is essential.
The contractor will ensure the site is made safe at the end of each workday, but conditions on the wharf may differ from normal. Please exercise caution when accessing the area and observe all posted hazard warnings.
Update 26/5/25 - Additional piles, sleeves, and pile caps were installed through the access hatches cut into the wharf. The contractor, STF, has also started to install the new hardwood bearer beams onto the pile caps under the wharf. This will save time later on in the project when the decking is replaced in stages.
This coming week, an eye will be kept on the weather as the winds shift to northerlies, which will impact the ability for the barges to work. Planned work includes installation of pile caps and bearer beams, piling, and divers will be taking some measurements at the wharf head.
Please avoid using the wharf between 7:30am to 4:30pm due to construction hazards. This is necessary to keep everyone safe and ensure that the contractor is able to continue works as efficiently as possible. Access during these hours should be restricted to emergencies only, in which case, please speak with the site supervisor if passing through the construction area is essential.
The contractor will ensure the site is made safe at the end of each workday, but conditions on the wharf may differ from normal. Please exercise caution when accessing the area and observe all posted hazard warnings.
Update 30/5/25 - This week, work focused on installing pile caps and bearer beams. To date, we’ve installed 32 piles and sleeves, 18 pile caps, and 10 bearers (each out of 50). Divers took measurements at the wharf head for the bracing replacement. Barges were relocated to Schoolhouse Bay for safety due to bad weather affecting South Cove.
Next week, STF will continue installing piles, pile caps and bearer beams, working towards the wharf head. At the same time, work will start on removing section 1 closest to land to replace the joists (beams along the length of the wharf) and decking. A gangway will be installed across this section at the end of each day for access.
Please avoid using the wharf between 7:30am to 4:30pm. Sections of the wharf will be removed for replacement, which will make the wharf inaccessible between 7:30am to 4:30pm. Access during these hours should be restricted to emergencies only, in which case, please speak with the site supervisor if passing through the construction area is essential. The contractor will ensure the site is made safe at the end of each workday, but conditions on the wharf may differ from normal. Please take extra care when accessing the area and observe all posted hazard warnings.
Update 9/6/25 - Last week, STF continued installing pile caps, bearer beams, and bracing clamps. Work started on replacing the first section of joists and decking. The piling barge was unable to work due to weather all week unfortunately.
This week, STF will continue installing piles, pile caps and bearer beams, working towards the wharf head. Work will continue on replacing the superstructure on section 1 closest to land.
Please avoid using the wharf between 7:30am to 4:30pm. Sections of the wharf will be removed for replacement, which will make the wharf inaccessible between 7:30am to 4:30pm. Access during these hours should be restricted to emergencies only, in which case, please speak with the site supervisor if passing through the construction area is essential.
The contractor will ensure the site is made safe at the end of each workday, but conditions on the wharf may differ from normal. Please exercise caution when accessing the area and observe all posted hazard warnings.
Update 13/6/25 - This week, the team rebuilt the first 2 sections of the wharf, including joists, decking, and handrail (temporarily fixed). Next week, work will continue with the installation of bracing clamps, cutting and grouting piles, and the installation of bearer beams. During the replacement of the first section, it became apparent that the existing bollards were supported by the old wharf structure, and these were therefore removed. The bollards will be replaced as soon as possible, and we will consider the dimensions discussed with residents onsite, in line with the design. Please do not drive any vehicles onto the wharf as this would present a safety risk.
Please avoid using the wharf between 7:30 am to 4:30 pm next week. Sections of the wharf will be removed for replacement, which will make the wharf inaccessible between 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. Access during these hours should be restricted to emergencies only; in which case, please speak with the site supervisor if passing through the construction area is essential. The contractor will ensure the site is made safe at the end of each workday, but conditions on the wharf may differ from normal. Please exercise caution when accessing the area and observe all posted hazard warnings.
Update 24/6/25 - This week, the team focused on preparation work underneath the wharf to enable more top section replacements over the coming weeks. This involved grouting of piles, installing pile caps, bearers, and bracing. The contractor also delivered the next round of materials.
Materials removed from the wharf rebuild have been stored along the road and are ready for distribution and collection by the community.
A reminder from last week that the bollards have been removed as the foundations failed. The bollards will be replaced as soon as possible, and will consider a 1.5m spacing between bollards. Please do not drive any vehicles onto the wharf as this would present a safety risk.
Please avoid using the wharf between 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. Sections of the wharf will be removed for replacement, which will make the wharf inaccessible between 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. Access during these hours should be restricted to emergencies only; in which case, please speak with the site supervisor if passing through the construction area is essential.
The contractor will ensure the site is made safe at the end of each workday, but conditions on the wharf may differ from normal. Please exercise caution when accessing the area and observe all posted hazard warnings.