An indication of the ageing condition of the Nelson Quay Wharf, at the time a partial closure was put in place in October. Now even the owners of moored boats can't use the wharf. Photo / Doug Laing
An indication of the ageing condition of the Nelson Quay Wharf, at the time a partial closure was put in place in October. Now even the owners of moored boats can't use the wharf. Photo / Doug Laing
Napier’s aged Nelson Quay Wharf has been closed to all users, including owners with its Iron Pot moorings.
On Thursday evening, 17 apparently recreational vessels were at the moorings, fenced-off with apparently no one aboard.
But children had found a way, to use its pontoon to reach their popular divingsport off the entrance to the open launching ramp at the Hawke’s Bay Sports Fishing Club.
The closure was announced by the Napier City Council late on Thursday afternoon, four months after structural safety forced a partial closure, on the eve of Labour Weekend.
High and dry after city council safety concerns led to the closure of Nelson Quay wharf in Ahuriri, Napier, to all users, with 17 vessels still at their moorings, and their access fenced off. Photo / Doug Laing
It came just days after the ramp’s busiest weekend of the year, when about 130 boats put to sea in the club’s four-day Megafish tournament.
The affected portion of the wharf has been fenced off ever since, but allowed the owners continued access to their boats and moorings.
It was unclear on Thursday what the future would be for being able to board their craft.
The council said Nelson Quay Wharf, off which is the launching ramp at the Hawke’s Bay Sports Fishing Club, is closed until further notice and that council is exploring all options for the wharf’s future.
Structural issues identified with the wharf in 2025 remain unchanged, it said, adding updated health and safety advice means the council is “taking all reasonable steps to ensure public safety”.
Mayor Richard McGrath, who was elected to the position when the local elections ended just days before the initial moves in October, said council has a duty of care to all users and the wider community.
“We closed the wharf several months ago, when information about its structural integrity came to light,” he said.
The extended fencing closing Nelson Quay wharf at Ahuriri, Napier. Photo / Doug Laing.
“We allowed restricted access to boat owners only. Now we are taking this a step further, with the updated advice we’ve received.”
An engineering report commissioned last year identified significant issues with the stability and structural safety of the wharf, and as a result the restrictions were put in place.
“Right now, our highest priority is public safety.
“This may be inconvenient for some and we are working closely with users to make sure they understand the issues and the actions we are taking to keep everyone safe.”
Doug Laing is a Hawke’s Bay Today reporter based in Napier with a journalism career dating back 53 years, more than 40 years of which has been covering local and regional events and issues.
