The rebuild of Akaroa Wharf is one step closer, with the completion of Drummonds Jetty and upgrades to Daly’s Wharf paving the way for the major project.
The Christchurch City Council has announced that Drummonds Jetty will reopen to the public at 9am on Wednesday, 18 December, while Daly’s Wharf will follow in the afternoon of Friday, 20 December. These upgrades were necessary to ensure alternative facilities are available while Akaroa Wharf undergoes its long-planned rebuild, which is expected to begin in 2026.
A 2018 assessment found Akaroa Wharf was nearing the end of its useful life, and ongoing repairs were no longer economical. Rupert Bool, the Council’s Head of Parks, said the reopening of both Drummonds Jetty and Daly’s Wharf is a significant milestone.
“It’s fantastic they will both be operational again over summer. We know the community will also be happy to see this progress, as it means we are getting closer to work being able to start on Akaroa Wharf,” he said.
Drummonds Jetty now features a 108-metre-long floating pontoon, providing sufficient depth for recreational and commercial operators to access the jetty during low tide. While the pontoon itself will not be operational until early February due to delays with crucial components, Bool said the new system, anchored with screw piles and elastic moorings, offers numerous benefits.
“This approach minimises disturbance to marine life during installation, saves money, and offers more working space on the pontoon. Instead of two smaller pontoons, we now have one 40-metre pontoon, which also provides unobstructed views of Akaroa Harbour,” Bool said.
Daly’s Wharf has also undergone significant strengthening and repair work, with sections of timber decking replaced, and water and lighting services installed. In preparation for Akaroa Wharf’s closure, the diesel bowser will be relocated to Daly’s Wharf, alongside the installation of a new crane. Both fixtures will return to Akaroa Wharf after the rebuild is complete. The shelter temporarily moved to the adjacent park will also be reinstated at Daly’s Wharf.
The construction of the new Akaroa Wharf is scheduled to begin in early 2026, subject to the appointment of a contractor and resource consent approval. Plans include raising the wharf by 500-600mm to address future sea level rise.
“The resource consent will be publicly notified, with a public hearing expected in late 2025. We aim to complete the Akaroa Wharf rebuild in 2027,” Bool said.
In the meantime, geotechnical drilling is planned for February 2025, which will temporarily close parts of Akaroa Wharf for safety reasons.
A community information session will be held early in the new year to provide updates on the design, timeline, and impacts of the Akaroa Wharf rebuild. Bool said the Council remains committed to keeping the community informed and ensuring facilities are operational throughout the transition period.
