Community Board supports closure and realignment of popular walkway

The Bay of Islands - Whangaroa Community Board has agreed to close and realign part of the Ōpua-Paihia Coastal Walkway.

During its meeting on Thursday 23 November, the board confirmed its support for the closure to ensure public safety while maintaining pedestrian access along the Te Araroa trail between Ōpua and Paihia.

The work involves abandoning a 325-metre section of the track deemed unsafe, particularly the area near Richardson Road.

The plan is to keep the track open from Richardson Street (by the hall) to Doug’s boat yard and then realign the section of the Ōpua-Paihia Coastal Walkway from Walls Bay up over the hill to Richardson Street and back down to the track.

The council will also upgrade the signage notifying the public about the closures and provide maps of the closed-off area.