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Akaroa Wharf

We are replacing the iconic Akaroa Wharf – originally built in 1887 – as it is nearing the end of its usable life.

Akaroa's wooden wharf beside blue waterfront building with people walking and standing, boats docked nearby, and green hills in the background.

Get updates on the Akaroa Wharf project

A condition assessment carried out on Akaroa Wharf in late 2018 identified that the structure was reaching the end of its useful life, and ongoing repair and maintenance were not economical.

We’ve worked in partnership with Ōnuku Rūnanga and the Akaroa community about the wharf replacement project. The wharf is an integral part of Akaroa’s heritage, holding high historical, social, cultural and contextual significance. 

Project update - August 2026

HEB Construction is now fully established in Akaroa. Having set up their main work site at the Recreation Grounds, the team is now focused on rebuilding the entrance to the new wharf and establishing the barge pocket and staging area near the main boat ramp.

Over the coming weeks, you'll see the arrival of the Patiki Barge, which last visited Akaroa Harbour almost 20 years ago when the existing pontoons were installed. Please stay clear of construction areas and follow the temporary one-way traffic measures on Beach Road in front of the wharf. If you're out on the water, including in a kayak, please keep well clear of the wharf and construction zone to help keep everyone safe.

The community can also expect some additional noise in the coming weeks as pile driving continues. Protective rock bags are being installed near the boat ramp to help protect seagrass during construction, as required under the project's resource consents.

Rebuilding the wharf is a complex job, and we are using both land-based and marine-based teams for the demolition, piling work, and construction of the new structure. 

The new wharf will primarily be a concrete structure to meet loading requirements, building code standards, and earthquake resilience. However, timber elements will be included on the new wharf to retain aspects of the existing wharf’s look and feel.

Because we will be reusing timber for the new wharf, decisions on the distribution and availability of any salvaged timber to the community will be made later in the project.

To receive updates as the project progresses, please subscribe to our e-newsletter above. 

More information about the wharf project [PDF, 1021 KB].

Newsline archive


Newsletters

Meeting minutes

Documents

We will rebuild in the existing wharf’s location. 

The new wharf will not be a replica of the existing one but be its own structure – using the best materials available for the conditions, which complement the local environment and take into consideration the long-term maintenance costs.

Key features of our approved concept design include:

  • Increasing the height of the wharf deck by 600mm, which means changes will need to be made to how the wharf is attached to the land and buildings. The original abutment, or concrete structure, that currently attaches the wharf to the land is in very poor condition and will need to be removed.
  • Using a mixture of materials such as timber, concrete and steel piles, which are durable, sustainable and will require less maintenance.
  • Continuing to provide diesel for commercial operators.
  • Additional pontoon space.

The existing wharf is more than timber, concrete and iron; it holds stories and memories for the people who use it.

We are keen to ensure the full history of the wharf is captured and recorded, as well as collecting the structure's intangible heritage including personal memories and stories from the community.

The history of the wharf has been captured in the Stories from the Akaroa Wharf video:

Salvage of materials

Elements from the wharf which have been identified as having high heritage significance will be salvaged wherever possible. We are exploring ways that some of these can be incorporated into the new structure, or utilised for interpretation.

There may also be an opportunity for the community to access and use some of these salvaged materials for other projects in Akaroa.

We will let the community know more about the salvage project as the project progresses.

Two privately-owned buildings adjoin the current wharf and connect to the Council-owned structure.

We are working with the building owners on what the replacement project means for them.

Drummonds Jetty has been rebuilt so the community can use it while Akaroa Wharf undergoes a rebuild.

Work began in early September 2024 and was completed just prior to Christmas 2024, with the 33-metre jetty re-opening on 18 December 2024. 

Drummonds Jetty has now been equipped with a floating pontoon. The entire configuration extends 108m into Akaroa Harbour, giving sufficient depth for recreational and commercial operators to access the pontoon during low tide. The floating pontoon opened in February 2025 due to the delay of a crucial component, the timber walers.

The jetty provides over 80m of mooring space, and the pontoons will be equipped with lighting, power and water.​

​The pontoons and gangway will be removed and relocated to Akaroa Wharf in 2027 when the Akaroa Wharf rebuild is nearing completion.

Read more on Newsline(external link).

Daly’s Wharf was identified as a suitable alternative while Akaroa Wharf undergoes a rebuild. Strengthening work began in early September 2024 and was completed by Christmas 2024, with the wharf reopening on 20 December 2024. ​

​Daly’s Wharf was rebuilt in 1914 and needed strengthening work to ensure it remained an asset to the area. ​We have installed pile jackets on deteriorated piles and replaced some structural members. Additional bracing and strengthening work was carried out at the end of the jetty to allow continued use of the wharf going forward.

Closer to the time that Akaroa Wharf is closed for rebuild, we will install a diesel bowser and crane at the end and a temporary diesel tank in the slipway, near Custom House. ​

​The shelter at the end of the wharf has been relocated to the adjacent park and will remain accessible to the public. The shelter will be reinstated to the end of Daly’s Wharf when the new Akaroa Wharf opens in 2027. ​

Christchurch City Council consulted with the community regarding our Akaroa Wharf plan from Wednesday 1 December 2021 to Monday 31 January 2022. 

During this time, we heard from 47 businesses, organisations and individuals.

Read the Newsline(external link)(external link) article regarding the Council decision.

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