Repairs to flood-related damage to the Thornton jetty and the western infill at Whakatāne’s Main Commercial Wharf could be delayed for up to another month, while engineers and contractors are deployed on reconstructing vital transport infrastructure elsewhere in the District.

Ex-cyclones Debbie and Cook caused considerable undermining of piles at both facilities, and to the access road at the Whakatāne wharf. Temporary measures to secure the wharves are in place, but long-term remediation will be required, and the public are asked to be mindful and take additional care when using the wharves in the coming weeks.