Mangawhai Harbour Dredging Program 2025
2 April 2025
MHRS wish to advise the Mangawhai community that the MHRS dredge has been moved into the estuary out from the Sellars Reserve across to Bullet Point.
Over the last 3-4 years there has been considerable build-up of sand where the 2 channels meet, which is the area, locally known as Bullet Point. The sand will be dredged and will be placed on the eastern side of the old bund wall on the distal spit. This work will strengthen the bund wall on the distal spit which is the location where the breach in 1991 occurred and has been eroded over time with the channel movement.
All of the activities of the MHRS Dredge have been fully consented and approved by the Department of Conservation [DOC] and Northern Regional Council [NRC}.
The sand delivery pipe has been sunk in the channel to enable the navigation of boats. Buoys identify where the navigable part of the channel is and at night there are red and green beacon lights to show the location of the channel .
The work will continue until July 31 which is in accordance with the Resource Consent.
Photo of the original "The Spirit of Mangawhai - Thank you to Mangawhai Museum
DREDGING THE ESTUARY PROGRAM
Providing an essential service
"Spirit of Mangawhai II" is one of the most valuable assets to our community.
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Clearing the waterways enables unobstructed water flow and improves the water quality, ensuring marine and bird life habitats are sustained and enhancing recreational activities like swimming and fishing.
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Plus, sand blown by the wind into the estuary is recycled and used to restore and maintain the distal spit which provides protection for the estuary from the open sea, while planned placement of the sand creates suitable bird nesting habitats.
Links to Information and Media
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