New Road Restores Access to Manukau Heads Lighthouse After Cyclone Damage

Auckland Transport (AT) has successfully completed a new section of road that restores access to the historic Manukau Heads Lighthouse in New Zealand. This development follows significant damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023, which rendered the original road impassable due to a major landslip.

The landslip displaced approximately 90,000 cubic metres of soil, a volume comparable to 36 Olympic swimming pools, down an 80-metre hillside. With the previous route assessed as unstable and too costly to repair, AT constructed a new road located 20 metres away from the slip site, ensuring safe and reliable access to the lighthouse.

Enhancing Safety and Resilience

According to Alan Wallace, group manager of road asset maintenance and renewals at Auckland Transport, this solution not only reconnects the area but also addresses long-term safety and resilience concerns. “We’ve taken steps to stabilise the surrounding land and reduce future risk,” he stated.

To further mitigate the risk of future landslips, AT implemented several preventative measures. These include the installation of stormwater culverts designed to redirect water away from the slip site. In addition, the top of the landslip has been trimmed and replanted with grass and native vegetation to improve stability.

Despite facing challenges such as heavy rainfall and high winds during construction, AT completed the project within the anticipated four to five-month timeframe. The $4 million repair project was fully funded by the Government through National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Ltd, demonstrating a commitment to restoring vital infrastructure in the Franklin region.

Impact on the Community and Tourism

The chairperson of the Manukau Heads Lighthouse Trust, Bill Deed, expressed the difficulties faced by the community over the past two-and-a-half years. “With no public access, we saw a dramatic drop in visitors, which meant no donations or community engagement,” he explained. “It’s been hard to maintain momentum and income for the upkeep of the lighthouse when people couldn’t reach it.”

With the new road now open, Deed highlighted the importance of the lighthouse as a cornerstone of tourism in west Franklin. “This lighthouse isn’t just a historic landmark overlooking the entrance to the Manukau Harbour; it draws hundreds of thousands of people each year, and we welcome seeing life return to the site.”

Looking ahead, Auckland Transport is focused on enhancing the city’s infrastructure to be more resilient to climate change. This includes elevating roads and strengthening existing structures to better protect them from floods and landslips. The agency reported that, of the 30 sites affected by storm damage, 25 have now been completed, with one currently under construction.

As the community awaits further improvements, the reopening of the road marks a significant step toward revitalising both the lighthouse and the surrounding area.