Council faces costly dilemma over unconsented Hokitika seawall

A rock wall built in 2019 to shield Hokitika’s Sunset Point from rapid beach erosion now faces legal challenges. The West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) erected the structure as an emergency measure but failed to obtain the required resource consent. This week, the council agreed to pursue temporary legalisation rather than remove the wall immediately.

The emergency wall was constructed without formal approval, which should have been sought within 20 days of building. The Westland District Council later issued an abatement notice, demanding the WCRC either remove the structure or secure consent by February 27, 2026. Councillor Peter Ewen questioned the logic of penalising the WCRC for protecting its own ratepayers.

A report from Corsair Consulting confirmed the wall does not meet standard engineering requirements for a seawall. Despite this, most councillors favoured seeking short-term consent to keep it in place until 2028. This approach would allow time to plan a coordinated removal while avoiding immediate risks. Councillors Peter Ewen, Allan Birchfield, and Andy Campbell opposed outright removal, citing concerns over increased erosion, sand displacement, and disruption to penguin nesting areas.

The WCRC ultimately voted to apply for temporary consent without setting a fixed removal date. Ewen and Birchfield abstained from the decision, while the Westland District Council had previously urged the WCRC to legalise the structure rather than dismantle it.

The WCRC will now proceed with a temporary consent application, avoiding immediate demolition. The wall will remain until at least 2028, giving officials time to address erosion risks and environmental impacts. Removal would have exposed the backshore to further damage and required managing contaminated fill.