Ōpua-Paihia track boardwalk to permanently reopen

A section of a popular coastal walking track between Ōpua and Paihia will be permanently reopened tomorrow afternoon (27 January), just in time for the Auckland Anniversary long weekend.

The section consists of a wooden boardwalk and bridge that was closed for safety reasons more than a year ago by council after an engineer’s report confirmed that rot and marine worms had seriously weakened support piles making the structure unsafe for pedestrians.

While making up only a small part of the Ōpua-Paihia coastal walkway, closure of the boardwalk and bridge effectively cut the only pedestrian link between the two Bay of Islands’ communities. It also forms part of the national Te Araroa Trail which links Cape Rēinga to Bluff.

Repairs to the structure have been dogged by delays due to a combination of supply issues, unavailability of marine contractors and poor weather. It was reopened temporarily over the Christmas period, but closed again to walkers on weekdays early this month so that permanent safety rails and other elements of the project could be installed. These safety measures have now been completed, allowing the section to be reopened permanently from tomorrow at 4pm.

Contractors will return in coming days to undertake final finishing touches to the structure, but this will not prevent pedestrians using the pathway. 

Image: Contractors are completing installation of safety rails before tomorrow's reopening of the Ōpua-Paihia coastal walkway.