“This is a big project needing serious money,” said trust chairman Bruce Holm.
“The $5 million would have been used to repair the concrete section of the wharf, and rebuild one third of the derelict wooden section that projects from the end of the concrete walkway.”
The new wooden structure would access the deeper water and enable yachts and smaller fishing craft to moor and stay overnight if necessary.
“A shorter version of the wooden wharf end, complete with steps and lower landings, would provide an area for berthing boats, jumping, diving, swimming and fishing,” Mr Holm said.
The trust was told they were turned down by the Provincial Growth Fund because the wharf did not contribute sufficiently to economic growth.
“That was very disappointing, but we are not giving up on this,” said trust secretary Leigh Fletcher.
The Tokomaru Bay Heritage Trust (TBHT) believes the economic growth would come by way of increased regional tourism.
“A tourist route around East Coast highway 35 with multiple stop-off destinations would assist in marketing the whole Tairawhiti and Gisborne district,” said trustee Andy Jefferd.
“It would be a must-do in the years ahead for national and international travellers.
“The three wharves on the East Coast jut out into some of the most beautiful and pristine waters in the Pacific.”
Trust treasurer Eileen Harrison said the TBHT has been in existence since 2013 and fundraising by way of annual concerts, historic calendars, raffles, auctions and local galas has been ongoing.
“A small local population has raised over $100,000 and the restoration of their wharf has the full support of the Tokomaru Bay community,” Mrs Harrison said.
Gisborne District councillor and local ward member Pat Seymour has also provided her full support for the restoration of the wharf and the work of the trust.
Mr Holm made special mention of the help and support Mrs Seymour had given them — “especially in moving things forward with the GDC.”
The council set aside $100,000 a year in its Long Term Plan this year, to be spent on the Tolaga Bay, Tokomaru Bay and Hicks Bay wharves.
“That news is more positive with the council now committing some financial resource to the project,” Mr Holm said.
Gisborne District Council owns the wharf.
In 2015 the GDC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the trust. It further supported the work of TBHT by commissioning a ‘Remedial Scope of Work and Cost Estimate’ for the trust.
As a result of several submissions to the Long Term Plan asking for some action to save the Tokomaru Bay wharf, the council set aside the $100,000 to be spent on all three coast wharves.
“This money will be spent by the council in commissioning a business case to support a future application to the PGF by council, on behalf of the three wharves,” Mr Holm said.
“The TBHT feels this could be a positive step towards the restoration of the Toko wharf.”
The trust has applied on three occasions for large projects funding from the Eastland Community Trust, without success.
“We would like to acknowledge pledges from several local charities,” Mr Holm said.
“The J.N Williams Memorial Trust, J and T Hickey Charitable Trust, along with the Lotteries Grant Board have supported us, and we thank them for their support.
“We acknowledge the money being sought is considerable and the pledged money is dependent on the trust obtaining the full funding necessary,” he said.
“We are all passionate about this project and will continue to work away to find the money needed.
“We are all determined to see it through to a successful conclusion.”
Mr Jefferd said international travellers want to see the real New Zealand and they love out-of-the-way places.
“Places like Tokomaru Bay and Hicks Bay and their wharves.
“There is very little data available on visitor numbers to the East Coast. But what we do know is that the renovations to the Tolaga Bay wharf gave a significant lift to tourism in the area.
“Mayor Meng Foon recently told the trust we have his wholehearted support,” Mr Jefferd said.
“The Prime Minister during her recent visit to Gisborne said to me: ‘Andy, don’t you worry, I know all about your Tokomaru Bay wharf’.”
“Shane Jones told the Mayor he would be assigning one of his officials to the project, which he said has real merit,” says Mr Jefferd.
“It’s about having the vision to create attractions throughout the Coast, which help unlock its tourism potential.
“It’s about — Keeping our History alive!”
The Tokomaru Bay wharf was built in the early 1900s and extended in 1911 to provide berthage for coastal ships servicing the freezing works and the wider Tokomaru Bay district. The expansion of the Gisborne port was the death knell for the coastal trade through the Tokomaru Bay wharf and it closed in 1965.
