Lake Ohakuri pontoon jetty opens after successful community crowd-funding

Locals and visitors raised over $6500 to get the pontoon jetty installed on Lake Ohakuri. Photo / Supplied

The crowd-funded jetty built at Lake Ohakuri is officially open for use by the community.

The new jetty is to be maintained by Taupō District Council and Taupō Mayor David Trewavas said it was great to see how the community had come together to achieve their goal.

"This has been a fantastic partnership by all involved, with a really good outcome. Lake Ohakuri is an incredibly well-used location, with New Zealand's top waterskiers and wakeboarders using it regularly, so this jetty is going to be a real asset."

The fundraising was organised by Tauranga resident Barry Murphy, who owns a bach at Atiamuri, in response to the previous old wooden jetty being removed due to health and safety concerns.

Locals and visitors raised over $6500 via Murphy's Givealittle page and ​though he said it had taken over a year to get the pontoon jetty installed its completion was perfect timing for summer.

"What's impressed me all the way has been how the community in Atiamuri and the surrounding areas have gotten behind the idea and all chipped in.

"We've had help with the shipping, the delivery, and the funding, as well as support from Mercury and Taupō District Council. Without the community behind me, I couldn't have made this happen and we are looking forward to a much safer summer season," he said.

Mercury Energy's Alan Hurcomb said Lake Ohakuri was a beautiful part of the Waikato River and they had been very happy to join with Murphy and the community of lake users to put the pontoon in the water.