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Our NZCT regional development managers bring you the latest from across the country, including an update on the wastewater spill that has affected parts of Auckland for over a month.
A wastewater bypass to reduce the overflow of raw wastewater into the Waitematā Harbour is operational. Photo / Watercare
Auckland wastewater spill: Restrictions starting to lift
The rāhui and blanket public health advice not to swim in the Waitematā Harbour is starting to lift as green ticks return to Auckland’s beaches.
It follows the successful introduction of a bypass solution aimed at reducing the overflow of raw wastewater into the harbour a fortnight ago, after the collapse of a sewerage pipe in central Auckland in September.
Work on the bypass started on September 28 after a sinkhole formed above the Ōrākei Main Sewer and the pipe was blocked when the land caved in.
As a result, raw wastewater poured into the Waitematā Harbour, shutting over two dozen Auckland beaches.
Local iwi Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei placed a rāhui across the harbour soon after, prohibiting sailing, swimming, fishing, paddling, diving and other recreational activities.
That rāhui has now started to lift - but remains in place in place at Ōkahu Bay, Te Tinana / Wilsons Beach, Judges Bay, St Mary's Bay and Masefield Beach reserve at Curran Street.
In a statement, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust chair Marama Royal said that the main purpose of a rāhui was protection and in this situation, it was important to consider the entire Waitematā Harbour.
“As tangata whenua of central Auckland and upper Waitematā, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei have a duty as kaitiaki to look after the mauri or life force of the Waitematā as well as to keep our communities safe. We will continue to keep the rāhui under review – the health of the Waitematā and of all who enjoy using it are paramount to our iwi,” Royal said.
“We have lifted the rāhui across the Waitematā Harbour, except between Ōkahu Bay west to Masefield Beach reserve by Curran Street and we thank Aucklanders for respecting rāhui areas as it gives the harbour a chance to recover."
Auckland Council activated black pins on Safeswim when advised by Watercare of the Ōrākei main sewer blockage and significant discharges into the harbour on September 27. A black alert is used to indicate wastewater discharges to water and elevated health risks to beach users.
The following areas outside the rāhui area have black alerts due to the most recent water quality results: Chapman Strand, Taipiri Strand, Te Atatu, Pt Chevalier, Herne Bay, Home Bay and Sentinel Road. The water quality information for these locations will be updated as testing results are received.
Watercare's chief operations officer Mark Bourne earlier encouraged Aucklanders to keep checking the Watercare website for updates and Safeswim for the latest water quality information.
New marine protection rules for Northland
New rules are in place for marine protection areas in Mimiwhangata and Rakaumangamanga (Cape Brett), the Northland Regional Council has confirmed.
According to the council, the rules have been introduced to protect the “significant ecological values of these areas, which have been severely impacted by fishing” and means marine life can no longer be taken from the areas below:
- Maunganui Bay (Deep Water Cove) to Opourua (Oke Bay) in the Bay of Islands (Rakaumangamanga Rāhui Tapu)
- Around the Mimiwhangata peninsula (Mimiwhangata Rāhui Tapu).
In a third area, around Cape Brett, bulk harvesting of fish using specific commercial seining and trawling methods is prohibited to a depth of 100 metres.
For more information and FAQs, click here.
Mayflower won the Taylor & Co Lawyers Ladies Twilight Series opener on handicap. Photo / GHYC
Gulf Harbour Yacht Club starts season with a bang
The first race in this year’s Taylor & Co Lawyers Ladies Twilight Series had a bit of everything – with new entries, a returning boat and even a debut race all making up the 10-boat fleet at Gulf Harbour Yacht Club last week.
Race officer Mike Lanigan chose Course 2 with C McGuire, Share Delight and Sniper all getting good starts. Enigma 1 slowly gained control, however, to take line honours. Mayflower won on handicap.
GHYC earlier opened the season with the first in the Burnsco Summer Cruising race series, hosted with Weiti Boating Club.
A dozen boats were welcomed by a pleasant south-western on Saturday (October 21) as they made their way around the islands to Kawau where stories and a barbeque were shared at Mansion House.
Line honours went to Planet X, with newcomer Mackintosh taking first place on handicap, closely followed by Mayflower and Share Delight.
The second race in the series takes place this weekend.
Stack Winter champs crowned
A weekend that started with light and variable conditions finished off with a bang at the annual Stack Winter Champs regatta at Murrays Bay Sailing Club on October 7-8, courtesy of thunder and hail over the gulf as the boats were on their way back to shore.
Several sailors made it onto the podium, including a number of locals: Will Handley, Josh Higgins, Aurora Edhouse (Optimist green fleet); Matteo Barker, Callum Hyde, Greta Hutton, Sofia Turner (Optimist open fleet); Hamish Brown and Arthur Rebbeck (P Class); Ben Tapper and Helena Sanderson (Waszp); Issac Gaites and Zara Scott (Starling open fleet).
Hamish Brown, Arthur Rebbeck, Hugo Smith and Amber Hughes took out the top spots in the P Class. Photo / Murrays Bay Sailing Club
Full results here.
Centenary celebrated at Milford Cruising Club
Milford Cruising Club last month marked its centenary celebrations with a weekend of activities focusing on the club’s remarkable achievements over 100 years.
According to Commodore Andrew Robertson, the weekend was about reconnecting the club with the community, showcasing its changes over time and highlighting the club's bright future.
It kicked off with a cake-cutting for invited guests and the opening of a photo exhibition on Friday, followed by two public open days with a pirate pop-up cafe and a steady stream of locals.
Also included were an adult have-a-go sailing event, a 1920s-themed party, and an ice cream and coffee kiosk to raise funds.
Milford Cruising Club celebrated its centenary with a photo exhibition. Photo / Milford Cruising Club
“It’s amazing what a little bit of elbow grease, and a lot of volunteers can achieve over 100 years and the club is certainly on course for another 100 years of community involvement,” Robertson said.
“The club officially turns 100 in December so keep an eye out as due to the weekend’s success, we may hold another open day with the photographic displays.”
Milestone as Howick Sailing Club turns 90
Also reaching a significant milestone recently was Howick Sailing Club – celebrating its 90th birthday last weekend with the sharing of stories and plenty of sailing, including a handicap race and a Mark Foy.
Classes represented included the A Class, iQFOIL, Starling, Optimist, ILCA 6, ILCA 7, wingfoil, RS Fevas and Jollyboats.
Seventeen boats participated in the first cruise of the Bay of Plenty Trailer Yacht Squadron's new season. Photo / BOPTYS
Summer cruising starts for BOPTYS
The Bay of Plenty Trailer Yacht Squadron kicked off its summer cruising over Labour Weekend with 17 trailer yachts gathering at Cherry Bay, Lake Rotoiti for a hoedown.
The BOPTYS has a busy season coming up with the Allan Civil Rotoiti Classic to be held on November 18.
Preparations for the Hansa 303 Class Doubles and Singles on the lake (in February 2024) are also well underway.
Louis Quere and Lucy Luxford won the 2023 Starling North Island championships at New Plymouth Yacht Club. Photo / Chris McCarthy
Louis, Lucy triumph at Starling North Islands
New Plymouth Yacht Club recently hosted an impressive 24 boats for the Starling North Island championships, with wind and big waves forcing race officials to stay inside the harbour for the four races on Saturday (October 14) before heading out for three races on the final day.
Royal Akarana Yacht Club sailor Louis Quere won the title by one point from Murrays Bay Sailing Club’s Finn Olson, with Lucy Luxford finishing as the first female.
Ngaroto Sailing Club hosted the Hansa 303 North Islands Singles. Photo / Ngaroto Sailing Club
Double delight at Lake Ngaroto
Lake Ngaroto offered a mix of conditions for the Hansa 303 North Islands Singles at Ngaroto Sailing Club last weekend, with light and shifty breeze on Saturday (October 28) followed by a lovely 8-15 knots.
Racing was tight, with Paulien Chamberlain from Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club narrowly taking the win from Graham Hook (Titahi Bay Boating Club).
Twelve boats competed in the Hartley 16 North Islands at the same regatta, with Hartley Moving coming out on top by one point from Pronto.
The Hartley 16 national championships will be held at Waiuku Yacht Club in February next year,.
Full results here.
Hart takes out trailer yacht champs
Mercury Bay Boating Club’s Phil Hart won the New Zealand Trailer Yacht championships held during the 2023 Aviemore Classic in Otematata late last month, taking out the title on board Shaw 750 Deep Purple.
“We didn’t have any great expectations. The South Island yachties are very competitive. There are a lot of fast boats,” Hart told The Informer.
“We went very well. In the end we were tied with another boat on points. However, we won the trophy on the count back.”
The Aviemore Classic is hosted by Timaru Yacht and Powerboat Club and is a 20nm circuit race on Lake Aviemore with several classes competing.
For a full list of all division winners, click here.
Charteris Bay Yacht Club have welcomed three RS Feva yachts to its fleet.
Feva fever at Charteris Bay
Charteris Bay Yacht Club will soon be offering a new option as part of their club-owned fleet, following the acquisition of three RS Feva yachts thanks to a generous grant from the Air Rescue and Community Services Trust.
The addition of the double-handed boats follows the club’s VMG 2028 strategy and vision workshop aimed at providing improved opportunities for sailing development.
According to the club, Friday Feva sessions will start as soon as the boats have been integrated into the fleet.
