The popular Godley Head site near Christchurch has reopened to the public after a successful cleanup to remove contamination.

The site, known for its World War II coastal defence heritage, features restored gun emplacements, historic military structures, walking and mountain biking tracks, a campsite, and the Lighthouse Cottage, all now open.

More than 100,000 people visited Godley Head annually before parts of it were closed in April 2021 due to asbestos and other contaminants found in the soil.

The contamination was discovered during road repairs, leading to a wider investigation and eventual remediation.

DOC Operations Manager Andy Thompson said, “Godley Head offers outstanding sea views and excellent walking and mountain biking. We’re thrilled to have the site open to the public again—especially ahead of Conservation Week.”

Thompson also addressed the issue of graffiti and vandalism during the closure. “We want to thank staff from Landguard who volunteered their time to remove and paint over some of the graffiti. The rest will be painted over when the weather is warmer.”

Visitors should follow guidelines, including keeping dogs on leads and avoiding digging, as areas with residual contaminants have been safely capped on-site. The remediation cost approximately $1.4 million, partially funded by the Ministry for the Environment’s Contaminated Sites Remediation Fund.