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Auckland Transport (AT) has completed the construction of a new section of road to restore access to the renowned Manukau Heads Lighthouse, following damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023.
The original Manukau Heads Road was rendered impassable after a significant landslip displaced 90,000 cubic metres of soil, equivalent to 36 Olympic swimming pools, down an 80-metre hillside.
With the old route assessed as unstable and too costly to repair, AT has constructed a new section of road 20 metres away from the slip site to ensure safe and reliable access.
“This solution allows us to reconnect the area while addressing long-term safety and resilience,” AT group manager road asset maintenance and renewals Alan Wallace says.
“We’ve taken steps to stabilise the surrounding land and reduce future risk.”
To mitigate future landslip risks, AT implemented several preventative measures:
- Stormwater culverts were installed to redirect water away from the slip site.
- The top of the slip was trimmed and replanted with grass and native vegetation to improve the slope’s stability.
Despite challenges posed by heavy rainfall and high winds on the exposed terrain, the project was completed within the expected timeframe of four to five months.
The $4 million repair project was fully funded by the Government through National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Ltd, reflecting a strong commitment to restoring vital infrastructure in the Franklin region.
“The past two-and-a-half years have been incredibly difficult for us,” Manukau Heads Lighthouse Trust chairperson Bill Deed says.
“With no public access, we saw a dramatic drop in visitors, which meant no donations or community engagement.
“It’s been hard to maintain momentum and income for the upkeep of the lighthouse when people couldn’t reach it.
“Now the road is open again, visitors can return, but we’re also playing catch-up.
“We’ve cleared a lot of overgrown vegetation, but there’s still work to do to get the site back to its best.
“This lighthouse isn’t just a historic landmark overlooking the entrance to the Manukau Harbour, it’s a cornerstone of west Franklin’s tourism.
“It draws hundreds of thousands of people each year, and we welcome seeing life return to the site.”
A key focus for AT is making the city’s new infrastructure more resilient to climate change by raising it higher or making it stronger and protecting existing infrastructure from floods and slips.
“We continue to make progress repairing storm-damaged roads across Franklin and south Auckland.
“Of the 30 affected sites, 25 have now been completed, with one currently under construction.”
