Seawall rebuild to protect surf club’s future

Weeks after celebrating the return to its iconic clubhouse, Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service (MHVLS) has taken another major step in futureproofing the club.

Work is set to begin on rebuilding the storm-damaged seawall and boat ramp later this month, with funding for the critical infrastructure secured through Surf Life Saving New Zealand and resource consent granted by Northland Regional Council.

The latest project follows the club’s official return to its rebuilt headquarters earlier this year. For three years, the club was forced to operate from temporary facilities following the devastating 2023 landslip that destroyed its base.

Club chair Jess Costello said securing funding for the project was another significant step towards protecting the club’s future.

“We are incredibly grateful for the continued support from Surf Life Saving New Zealand, recognising MHVLS as an integral surf club in Northland. It signifies a safeguard for the future of the surf club building and its members, allowing us to continue the great surf lifesaving service we provide.

“We sincerely thank everyone who has advocated for this outcome, including Kaipara District Council, Te Uri o Hau, Northland Regional Council, Northland MP Grant McCallum and our community members who continue to support us.”

The seawall, originally constructed alongside the estuary groyne in the late 1800s and extended when the clubhouse was first built in the 1960s, has suffered from decades of storm damage and repeated repairs.

MHVLS said the original structure was poorly designed and built with substandard materials, contributing to the gradual loss of between 10 and 15 metres of dune in front of the clubhouse. The severe weather event in 2023 caused a further collapse, claiming another two to three metres of land.

The existing boat ramp has also struggled with shifting sand, regularly becoming unusable because it does not extend far enough down to the bedrock.

The new seawall will be rebuilt from the bedrock using imported quarried rock and a flatter, more resilient design. According to MHVLS, it has been engineered to withstand projected 2130 climate change conditions and a one-in-100-year storm surge. The structure will be covered with sand from the site and planted to recreate a natural dune while providing a stronger underlying rock foundation.

The redesigned boat ramp will also extend further down to the bedrock, improving access regardless of changing beach conditions.

A project blessing is planned before construction begins this month, with local contractor Wharehine Construction carrying out the work. It is expected to be completed before the start of the next lifeguarding season.

The clubhouse will remain open throughout the works, with a temporary boat ramp installed to ensure rescue operations continue uninterrupted. Public access to the beach may be temporarily restricted at times while work is carried out safely.