South Cove and Schoolhouse Bay, Kawau Island - Wharf maintenance works

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About the project

The South Cove and Schoolhouse Bay wharves on Kawau Island provide a connection between the community and the mainland. Maintenance work began at South Cove in April 2025 and at Schoolhouse Bay wharf on September 1, 2025. These wharf upgrades are important and will ensure the wharves remain functional and provide safe access for residents and visitors.

South Cove Wharf

The renewal of South Cove Wharf is complex and will take approximately four to six months to complete, subject to weather conditions. A temporary gangway will be installed over the sections under repair, allowing ferry and water taxi services to continue operating in the mornings and afternoons. When maintenance works take place, the wharf will be non-operational. We kindly ask residents to plan their trips to and from the island accordingly.

Where:

South Cove Wharf

Start date:

28 April 2025

Typical hours

Of work:

7:30 am to 4:30 pm daily (Monday to Friday)

Full access will be reinstated outside these hours when contractors are not on-site, including on weekends.

Duration:

4 – 6 months

Alternative route:

During work, Monday to Friday sailings from South Cove Wharf will depart at 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM. Please plan your travel accordingly.

Emergency information:

In emergencies, the crew will quickly reinstate access with a temporary gangway.

Food Deliveries:

Deliveries to South Cove should be scheduled for the morning or afternoon water taxi runs. Items typically delivered at 12.30 pm will be exposed to the elements, with pick up available at 4.30 pm once access is restored.


Maintenance at South Cove Wharf includes:

  • Removing and replacing 100m of wharf structure
  • Replacing all decking, the shed, handrail posts and various other wharf structures
  • Wrapping piles and replacing cross-bracing under the wharf head.


Schoolhouse Bay, Kawau Island, Wharf maintenance works

Renewal works for Schoolhouse Bay Wharf on Kawau Island began in early September 2025. Our crews began preparation of work on the last week of August, with physical construction starting in the first week of September. These improvements are essential to maintain the wharf’s operational status and ensure continued safe access for both residents and visitors.

Schoolhouse Bay Wharf

Where:

Schoolhouse Bay Wharf

Start date:

First week of September

Access:

Please note Schoolhouse Bay Wharf will be inaccessible during the duration of the work.

Duration:

2-3 months

Alternative route:

Residents can use Wagstaff Wharf for pick-up and drop-off of small goods, mail and groceries. Signage will be in place to inform residents and visitors of diversion routes. Wagstaff Wharf is only to be used for pick-up and drop-off, after which your boat must be tied up elsewhere at a mooring, along the public wharf, or on the beach. We kindly ask residents to plan their travel accordingly.

Emergency information:

Contractors will be available to help in the event of any emergencies on the island.

Maintenance at Schoolhouse Bay Wharf includes:

  • Replace 6 wooden vertical support piles and wharf structure under the shed.
  • Remove and replace the shed
  • Remove and replace all decking on the wharf
  • Add an extended wharf head corner next to the shed
  • Wrapping piles and replacing cross-bracing at the Helicopter pad

Shed Removal

The shed at the wharf head will be removed during the works. Residents are encouraged to collect any items from the shed by Friday 29 August 2025. Any remaining items will be kept in boxes for the duration of construction.

Docking Restrictions

Docking of vessels at the Schoolhouse Bay wharf head and pontoon is not permitted during construction. The public pontoon should not be used for drop-offs and pick-ups due to the major refurbishment of the wharf head and heavy equipment working nearby. We request that residents use the designated ropes along the wharf for tying up their vessels, utilise a mooring, or use the beach whenever possible.

Health and Safety

For health and safety reasons, boats must not be left at the pontoon under any circumstances. There will be barges and workboats at the end of the wharf that pose a hazard. While Auckland Transport is not responsible for providing all-day docking areas for the public, we acknowledge the concerns raised during the on-site drop-in session about users leaving their vessels tied to the pontoon daily.

What you need to know when we start the work

  • The team will work around tidal and weather conditions, which may cause delays.
  • There might be some noise, but we’ll try to minimise it.
  • In emergencies, the crew will quickly reinstate access with a temporary gangway.
  • We will provide weekly updates to residents on how work is progressing.

How to contact us:

If you have any queries or concerns about our plans, please email us at ATengagement@at.govt.nz

Click on the subscribe button to stay up-to-date on all the information related to this project.

About the project

The South Cove and Schoolhouse Bay wharves on Kawau Island provide a connection between the community and the mainland. Maintenance work began at South Cove in April 2025 and at Schoolhouse Bay wharf on September 1, 2025. These wharf upgrades are important and will ensure the wharves remain functional and provide safe access for residents and visitors.

South Cove Wharf

The renewal of South Cove Wharf is complex and will take approximately four to six months to complete, subject to weather conditions. A temporary gangway will be installed over the sections under repair, allowing ferry and water taxi services to continue operating in the mornings and afternoons. When maintenance works take place, the wharf will be non-operational. We kindly ask residents to plan their trips to and from the island accordingly.

Where:

South Cove Wharf

Start date:

28 April 2025

Typical hours

Of work:

7:30 am to 4:30 pm daily (Monday to Friday)

Full access will be reinstated outside these hours when contractors are not on-site, including on weekends.

Duration:

4 – 6 months

Alternative route:

During work, Monday to Friday sailings from South Cove Wharf will depart at 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM. Please plan your travel accordingly.

Emergency information:

In emergencies, the crew will quickly reinstate access with a temporary gangway.

Food Deliveries:

Deliveries to South Cove should be scheduled for the morning or afternoon water taxi runs. Items typically delivered at 12.30 pm will be exposed to the elements, with pick up available at 4.30 pm once access is restored.


Maintenance at South Cove Wharf includes:

  • Removing and replacing 100m of wharf structure
  • Replacing all decking, the shed, handrail posts and various other wharf structures
  • Wrapping piles and replacing cross-bracing under the wharf head.


Schoolhouse Bay, Kawau Island, Wharf maintenance works

Renewal works for Schoolhouse Bay Wharf on Kawau Island began in early September 2025. Our crews began preparation of work on the last week of August, with physical construction starting in the first week of September. These improvements are essential to maintain the wharf’s operational status and ensure continued safe access for both residents and visitors.

Schoolhouse Bay Wharf

Where:

Schoolhouse Bay Wharf

Start date:

First week of September

Access:

Please note Schoolhouse Bay Wharf will be inaccessible during the duration of the work.

Duration:

2-3 months

Alternative route:

Residents can use Wagstaff Wharf for pick-up and drop-off of small goods, mail and groceries. Signage will be in place to inform residents and visitors of diversion routes. Wagstaff Wharf is only to be used for pick-up and drop-off, after which your boat must be tied up elsewhere at a mooring, along the public wharf, or on the beach. We kindly ask residents to plan their travel accordingly.

Emergency information:

Contractors will be available to help in the event of any emergencies on the island.

Maintenance at Schoolhouse Bay Wharf includes:

  • Replace 6 wooden vertical support piles and wharf structure under the shed.
  • Remove and replace the shed
  • Remove and replace all decking on the wharf
  • Add an extended wharf head corner next to the shed
  • Wrapping piles and replacing cross-bracing at the Helicopter pad

Shed Removal

The shed at the wharf head will be removed during the works. Residents are encouraged to collect any items from the shed by Friday 29 August 2025. Any remaining items will be kept in boxes for the duration of construction.

Docking Restrictions

Docking of vessels at the Schoolhouse Bay wharf head and pontoon is not permitted during construction. The public pontoon should not be used for drop-offs and pick-ups due to the major refurbishment of the wharf head and heavy equipment working nearby. We request that residents use the designated ropes along the wharf for tying up their vessels, utilise a mooring, or use the beach whenever possible.

Health and Safety

For health and safety reasons, boats must not be left at the pontoon under any circumstances. There will be barges and workboats at the end of the wharf that pose a hazard. While Auckland Transport is not responsible for providing all-day docking areas for the public, we acknowledge the concerns raised during the on-site drop-in session about users leaving their vessels tied to the pontoon daily.

What you need to know when we start the work

  • The team will work around tidal and weather conditions, which may cause delays.
  • There might be some noise, but we’ll try to minimise it.
  • In emergencies, the crew will quickly reinstate access with a temporary gangway.
  • We will provide weekly updates to residents on how work is progressing.

How to contact us:

If you have any queries or concerns about our plans, please email us at ATengagement@at.govt.nz

Click on the subscribe button to stay up-to-date on all the information related to this project.

Ask a question!

If you have any questions about our plans, please share them here. 

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Page last updated: 08 Sep 2025, 10:43 AM