Far North Holdings has provided the following updates on its wharf projects in Paihia and Opua:
Paihia Wharf
Work on the $4.698m Paihia Wharf upgrade project, contracted to United Civil, is now expected to be complete in late January. We expect the four new pontoons on the new South-East extension to be operational by Christmas, with just finishing detail work taking place in January. Wherever possible this work will be scheduled at night so as to minimise disruption over the peak season.
The upgrade has included widening the main wharf walkway which was previously heavily congested three times a day. This will result in a much more open and pleasant experience, allowing the public to better enjoy the wharf. A public dinghy dock will be built, and an additional two pontoons installed to provide four extra commercial berths. A new pier will service these berths. A sewage pump will be installed on the fuel jetty to relieve pressure at the Opua pumping station and to encourage vessel masters to pump out holding tanks there instead of at sea.
The Provincial Growth Fund has contributed $3.77m to this project.
Opua Pontoon
Bellingham Marine has completed work on the $1.447m pontoon at Opua Wharf. The first vessels to tie up there formally will be elements of the Tuia-Encounters 250 fleet as part of the commemorations marking the first encounters between Maori, Tahitians and Europeans. Tall ships Endeavour, Spirit of New Zealand and the Bay of Islands’ very own R. Tucker Thompson will be in Opua on Saturday 9 November and Sunday 10 November and can be explored between 10am and 3pm.
