Cliff collapse threat puts Ōhau River, Horowhenua swim spot off-limits

A popular swimming hole at a river near Levin is at risk from a cliff collapse, and locals are being told to stay away.

With wild weather and slips leading to fatalities this summer, mayor Bernie Wanden said, “We would be doing this regardless of the tragedy in Mount Maunganui.”

Horizons Regional Council has issued a warning about people getting in the water at Kirkcaldies Reserve along the Ōhau River.

“There has been a bit of erosion on the banks, and we suggest that people do not swim near them,” Wanden said.

A fresh slip from the cliff face was already falling into the river, with plants at the top overhanging due to erosion.

The Horowhenua Regional Council has warned people to stay away from Kirkcaldies Reserve.

Wanden said the council had little control over stopping swimmers, as the spot is not an official swimming location.

“Legally we can’t stop people doing that.”

The warnings were just a precaution with the weather being unpredictable.

Extreme weather has led to fatalities up the country this summer, with six victims losing their lives to a slip in Mount Maunganui.

The council posted yesterday: “The cliff there has eroded lately to the point where we are concerned people may be at risk if more erosion takes place.”

While the regional council said it didn’t have the authority to close swimming spots, it warned people not to go in the water at the site.

“If you’re looking for a swim spot nearby, either head further upstream to Kimberley Reserve or downstream to the site near Parakawau Reserve.”

Horowhenua District Council has erected signs nearby asking people not to swim at the site.

A warning for the reserve has also been listed on Land Air Water Aotearoa (Lawa).

“Unstable cliffs at this site increase the risk of rockfall, which can cause serious injury,” the website said.

“Exercise caution and good judgment when swimming here, and avoid areas directly beneath the cliff face.”

The Lawa website also warns unstable trees are creating a hazard over the river at Ōhau’s Gladstone Reserve.

Multiple swimming spots around the lower North Island are under hazard warnings.

A hazard warning for Manawatu’s Tōtara Reserve says unstable cliffs near the Kahikatea campground make the spot “unsuitable for swimming”.

In 2006 three children died from a cliff collapsing into the Pohangina River in Manawatū.

At the time, the coroner recommended Horizons Regional Council and Manawatū District Council erect signs warning people of the danger of slips.

The deaths were called a “freakish accident” by the father of Michael Liengme, 13, who died in the river along with Callum Langley, 10, and his sister Keryn, 8.

While signs were put up after the accident as the coroner recommended, the swimming spot stayed open.

Sammy Carter is a journalist for the New Zealand Herald covering news in the Wellington region. She has previously worked at the Rotorua Daily Post.