Council to take down Wellington waterfront fencing as safety upgrades continue

Waterfront fences come down as Wellington ramps up $7m safety upgrades. Photo / RNZ, Samuel Rillstone

By Bill Hickman of RNZ

Wellington City Council says it will remove temporary fencing on the Wellington waterfront this week.

The fencing was put in place following the death of Isaac Levings in 2023.

Levings was one of seven people who drowned in the capital’s harbour since 2006.

A council spokesperson said $5 million – of $7.1m allocated for improvements to waterfront public safety – had gone into improving lighting across the waterfront promenades.

In March this year, Coroner Katharine Greig found the waterfront lacked adequate measures to prevent the death of Wellington man Sandy Calkin and called for immediate action in “high-risk” areas of the waterfront.

Calkin was last seen walking along the waterfront in the early hours of the morning on July 10, 2021. His body was found a week later.

In August, the council voted against a $7m proposal to urgently put fences up around the waterfront following the inquest into Calkin’s death.

On Monday, a council spokesperson said temporary fencing would be put up again before fireworks displays on New Year’s Eve and the council was trialling added security staff to monitor the area during larger evening events.

- RNZ