Ministry of Works Files – Eastern Bays

The Ministry of Works and Development was the principal organisation carrying out the physical, engineering and environmental investigations for many government departments before it was disbanded in the 1980s. Consequently, the Ministry of Works files contain a wealth of environmental information about the condition of our harbours, coastlines and waterways, both as they were originally, and as they were modified during settlement. To fully understand these files they need to be read in conjunction with information from other Government Organisations, in order to place the investigations into context. For example the development of the West Coast mobile sand dune problems and the subsequent attempts to stabilise them needs to be studied in conjunction with the Maori Affairs Department and the Department of Lands and Survey files. Both of these departments were involved in financing sand stabilisation projects. Eventually the work of sand dune conservation, (formerly done by the Agriculture Department and then by the Ministry of Works Soil Conservators (Water and Soil Division) after 1958), was passed on to the New Zealand Forest Service; who took control of nearly all exotic forest planting and management together with some erosion control functions where pine forests were involved. From 1958 onwards the Ministry of Works Water and Soil Division was the service provider for NWASCA (National Water and Soil Conservation Authority) and SC&RCC (Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council), which authorised the funding for the many soil conservation activities throughout the country. All projects submitted for funding to the Authority by the various Catchment Authorities were examined by members of the Ministry of Works Water and Soil Division to ensure they were soundly based, before funding was approved. Thus, as the adviser to other government departments and NWASCA, the Ministry of Works played a pivotal role in land development and conservation throughout its existence. These files as a result contain a wealth of historical information about; land development, flood control schemes and soil conservation in New Zealand. Because of their extensive engineering knowledge, the Ministry of Works and Development (MWD) reviewed various engineering structures such as wharf construction, reclamations and coastal aggregate mining licenses for the Marine Department and later the Ministry of Transport. From the early 1970s, the Hauraki Catchment Board was beginning to include Coromandel County within its operational district. Thus from this date the Hauraki Catchment Board have file data relevant to the northern part of the Peninsula. Purpose: See data abstract below

7/1 Harbour and Marine Works Annual Reports 1931-1945. January 1932: Rice grass Spartina Townsendii. A brief summary of discovery and its uses. Notes on planting or sowing seed. Lists experts who understand the plant. It was considered that the plant could never become a problem because of its agricultural value for grazing and hay making. The report was compiled by Mr. W. H. Hayes, Glen Eden Auckland. A land ownerproposed to reclaim 294 acres of mud flats in Manaia Harbour using Spartina. Notes reference Allen, H.H., 1929. Journal of Agriculture. Vol. XXXIX No.5. This article describes the growth pattern of Spartina planted in the Manawatu estuary. This is one of three reports on the plant. 7/1 Harbour and Marine Works Annual Reports 1946-1969. June 10 1960: The effect of the tsunami on the eastern side of the peninsula. Ohinemuri County said that the waves were similar to a high spring tide and a dead low over a short period. Thames County residents of Whangamata were evacuated in the afternoon but no damage was caused by the abnormal tidal action in Whangamata Harbour. April 1963: A request by Auckland Water Transport Ltd to remove shell from south of Opito Point. May 1963: The beach was inspected and approval was given to remove some hundreds of yards of shell and sand. 7/2 Harbour and Marine Works: Removal of sand Coromandel Peninsula. 1958-1970 August 1949: Kuaotunu Beach. An application to take 27 yds3 (20.6 m3) of material for local use. Approved was granted pending a foreshore inspection by the local overseer . The Overseer recommended that 40-60 yds3/ month (38-46 m3) could be safely taken. Plan Paeroa 2802 located three sites where sand could be taken safely. October 1949: An application was made by to take shingle from between Newbold's Point and Hale's homestead (volume not stated in the application). The applicant was a cartage contractor in Whitianga. He also wanted sole rights to take the shingle as he was going to have to construct access to the site. November 1949: The beach east of Hale’s homestead had previously been restricted from mining. The engineer did not know where Newbold's Point was. Plan No. 2802 shows the area together with the sand extraction locations. The inspector suggested that the area could sustain up to 100 yds3/ month (76 m3) but that it would require monitoring. Marine Department File No.13/1024. October 1950: There were reports of several local trucking firms taking sand from Kuaotunu Beach without permits. Also see Paeroa file 7/34. November 1950: Two people were prevented from taking sand from Kuaotunu Beach. They were also asked to pay royalties on what they had already taken. December 1950: One of the above sand extractors was issued a licence to take 25 yds3 / month (19 m3). The Overseer suggested there should be 3-6 monthly inspections to ensure no damage to the coast. In the 1950s the Lands and Survey Department was responsible for all Crown land and this included river and stream beds. Ministry of Works and the local Count Councils often used shingle from local streams for roading material. To simplify licensing these activities and Lands and Survey issued a blanket licence to Ministry of works to take shingle from all rivers and Streams. The Ministry of Works then issued permits to the County Councils and sent in a quarterly return to the Lands and Survey Department. Much of the contents of this file contains these returns from the different areas of the Coromandel Peninsula and the collated summaries sent to the Lands and Survey Department. August 1951: There several memos referring to illegal taking of sand and shingle from beaches. Associated files Paeroa 24/256, SH39/1/1 and SH72/25/2C/6 also Paeroa 24/1256 October to December 1960. August 1962: Coromandel County contacted the Marine Department suggesting that sand and shingle extraction was causing erosion at Kuaotunu Beach. September 1962: A property owner laid a complaint about sand removal causing damage in front of his property at Kuaotunu. This was followed by the local beach ranger carrying out an inspection. His report denies any evidence of beach erosion. The resident engineer from Paeroa was not sure so recommended closing the beach to sand mining. September 1964: An application was made to mine sand from Kuaotunu Beach. This was declined because of the fear it would cause erosion. December 1964: Coromandel County requested clarification of the legal location for sand extraction from Kuaotunu Beach. It was thought that removal from some areas could threaten the stability of SH25. June 1968: Storm damage at Kuaotunu blamed on the sand mining at the mouth of the Pitoone Stream. The resident engineer suggested that the licences be revoked for 3-6 months. October 1968: During the June 1968 storms, the beach at Kuaotunu lowered by 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9m). Subsequently the sand recovered and blocked the Pitoone Stream mouth. The resident engineer thought that taking 1,000-2,000 yds3 (760-1530 m3) annually would help to keep the stream mouth open and prevent flooding upstream of the road. They also wanted all sand removal to be west of the Pitoone Stream to ensure there was no threat to SH25 to the east. Proposed the use of the "10 foot track" as the best access. March 1969: The Ministry of Works applied to take 5,000 yds3 (3,820 m3) from Kuaotunu beach for road building. 7/2 Harbour and Marine Works: Removal of sand Coromandel Peninsula. Volume II 1970-1974. Note: This file contains 3 monthly returns of material taken from beaches and streams in the Coromandel Peninsula and sent to the Lands and Survey Department who was responsible for Crown Land. This summary does not include these returns and anyone wanting to know where and when material was taken will need to consult these files at Archives NZ. January 1971: Mercury Bay Transport applied for 75 yds3 (57 m3) per month of sand from Kuaotunu Beach. This was approved. September 1971: An application for sand removal from Opito Beach. The resident engineer noted that the previous four months had seen erosion on east coast beaches and suggested that no removal take place until sand levels had built up. He thought that the 900 yds3 (688 m3) already taken had had no effect on present beach levels. The resident engineer suggested that an application to periodically clean the Stewart Stream mouth should be made and that applications would be considered based on how the sand was to be used. October 1971: Approval for two applications to take sand from Kuaotunu; 75 yds3 (57 m3) for one permit and 600 yds3 (460 m3). October 1971: Coromandel County applied for permits to take material from a number of beaches and streams, specifically Papa Aroha Creek, Goat Bay, Whangarahi Stream, Okahutahi Stream (Sandy Bay), and the Urarimu Stream at Melsops Crossing. A total of 9,760 yds3 (7,562 m3) of material was applied for. At the same time Parry Brothers Ltd applied for 3,000 yds3 (2,294 m3) from the entrance to Whangapoua Harbour and a resident from Whitianga applied for 500 yds3 (382 m3) from Kuaotunu beach. April 1972: The Kuaotunu Citizens and Rate Payers Association laid a complaint about the amount of sand and gravel being removed from Kuaotunu Beach. The complaint also noted that sand was being taken from sensitive areas. The Association blamed the Ministry of Works Department (MWD) for the damage. The MWD replied saying that they had removed 645 yds3 (493 m3) and it had been taken from the stream channel and was used for road works. However a recent inspection showed there were holes dug in the sand dunes for sand removal but there was no information as to who had taken the material. The resident engineer Paeroa suggested a letter should be sent to the three licensees reminding them of their obligations to keep the beach in a safe state and the locations where they were permitted to remove material. 7/2 Harbour and Marine Works: Removal of sand Coromandel Peninsula. Volume III 1974-1976. May 1974: The Lands and Survey Department lost control of sand mining in rivers and beaches to the Mines Department. Control of sand removal now came under the Mines Act 1970. Ministry of Works now told that would have to apply to the Mines Department for a blanket approval to take sand and shingle from the catchments of the Peninsula. This was a continuation of the system run by the Lands and Survey Department. Ministry of Works then issued permits to remove material to local bodies and contractors. June 1974: Ministry of Works Hamilton noted that applications for material from Kuaotunu Beach could be as high as 3,700 yds3. The District Water and Soil Officer requested a report on the sustainability of this rate of extraction. The Resident Engineer in Paeroa replied that the natural variation in volume was such that restricting the amount removed could not be justified. However he noted the origin of the sand could not be determined and therefore the volume of material to be removed should be kept under 3,000 yds3 (2,300 m3) in total annually. February 1975: Kuaotunu Beach. Ministry of Works suggests there should be some cross-sections surveyed for checking sand volumes on the beach. December 1975: Kuaotunu Beach. There was a hole in the beach of about 200-300 m3, however the licence was for only 50 m3 per month. Also the area was untidy (the hole) and dangerous for other beach users. March 1976: Residents at Kuaotunu Beach complained that sand removal was causing problems for beach users. The residents made up a petition to have the mining stopped. The Resident Engineer responded that the Ministry of Transport employ an inspector to police the removal. He also suggested that more stringent conditions should be placed on the sand miners to ensure the beach was safe. November 1976: Kuaotunu Beach. More complaints were received about the sand mining activities. December 1976: The Resident Engineer at Paeroa asks for directions at to what is to happen to the sand mining sites at Kuaotunu and Whangapoua. At this stage it is becoming more difficult to obtain sand mining licences due to an increasing number of complaints about the methods of extraction and the amounts that are taken. 7/2 Harbour and Marine Works: Removal of sand Coromandel Peninsula. Volume IV 1977–1981. January 1977: The Ministry of Works (MWD) passed on a number of complaints to the Ministry of Transport (MoT) that had been received about sand mining at Kuaotunu. In the meantime the resident engineer allowed extraction to continue. February 1977: The Ministry of Transport instigated a requirement that the local Catchment Authority would have to be involved in approval of any sand mining operations. February 1977: Kuaotunu Beach. Approval given for 1,000 m3 sand to be taken. The MoT now instituted a system of delivery dockets so that the number and size of loads was recorded and open to official inspection. June 1977: Ministry of Transport asked the Ministry of Works if there were any other beaches that were suitable for mining out of the public eye. September 1977: The resident engineer Paeroa made the suggestion to take sand from Otama Beach instead of Kuaotunu. The Otama sand consisted of up to 50% shell but there was no gravel in the mix. January 1978: The District Water and Soil Officer Ministry of Works began suggesting to the concrete companies that they should commence looking for alternative sources of sand rather than beach deposits for concrete manufacture. One of the reasons for this suggestion was that there was thought to be a connection between sand extraction at Kuaotunu and erosion at the eastern end of Matarangi Spit. June 1978: Proposal to mine Whangamata Harbour entrance at a rate of 150 m3 per month. Also an application to mine the harbour entrance at Whitianga at a rate of 125 m3 per month as well as Bowentown Heads delta 150 m3 per month and Pauanui off shore at 125 m3 per month. March 1978: The Hauraki Catchment Board and Ministry of Works agree to work together on matters of coastal sand extraction. June 1978: The Thames Valley Gazette ran an article that reviewed present sand mining permits. Included was a report by R.W. Harris, on "Sand and Shingle Extraction from Coromandel Beaches and its Relation to Coastal Erosion" The report concludes that the existing licences should be declined. August 1978: The resident engineer Paeroa sends a letter to Hamilton District Office indicating that the Hahei storm damage might indicate erosion of a similar magnitude occurred at least twice in the past. He notes that the first concern about Buffalo Beach was expressed in 1924 but the first real erosion took place in 1960. He also noted the traffic ramp at Bowentown was uncovered by the 1978 storms. The Thames Valley Gazette summarised Mr Harris's report on the damaged beaches of the east coast Coromandel Peninsula. Present sand miners were warned that all applications would be reviewed downwards and after a year were likely to be terminated. January 1979: The resident engineer in Paeroa suggested that it was time to stop sand mining at Kuaotunu. March 1980: Kuaotunu was still being mined but at reduced volumes. Similarly Whangapoua was also operating but taking less material. A report by the resident engineer in Paeroa noted that many of the eastern Coromandel beaches were in a depleted state but did not think that this was a result of sand extraction. April 1980: The Hauraki Catchment Board sent out a notice that sand mining at Kuaotunu and Whangapoua was likely to be declined before the licence expired. 7/21 Harbour and Marine Works: Buffalo Beach Whitianga. 1924-1979 June 19-22 1973: Jeremy Gibb visited the Coromandel beaches with a view to assessing their present condition and to make recommendations for management. He was also to inspect Buffalo Beach erosion problems and report on a solution. Report made available August 1973 (scanned link). Mr Gibb suggested that there was some indication of erosion taking place at Kuaotunu, but that it was not serious. Removal of 3,000 yds3 (2,300 m3) of sand annually was approved. 12/243/1: Harbours and Foreshores: Beach sand and shingle supplies, Auckland and Coromandel Areas. (available for download from Ministry of Works Whiritoa dataset) This file refers to the “Rabone Report” on sand and shingle resources of the Auckland and Coromandel areas. Rabone, 1950: Beach sand and shingle supplies, Auckland and Coromandel Areas, Special Report November 1950. File also contains the photos and negatives used in the report. There are also notes on meetings held with sand merchants, land owners, and regulatory authorities. File discusses problems of coastal stability at Omaha Beach. Cause was thought to be excessive sand dredging. One group claimed a change in climate was the cause of the erosion. An investigation of the long term wind characteristics of Mechanics Bay, Auckland was carried out in 1961. Wind charts are in the file. General findings were that winds had generally decreased over the last 20 years but the winds from the east and north-east had increased. Results were summarised as: (a) A drop in winds over 13 knots since 1855 and an increase in winds from the northeast 3-27 knots over the last 20 years. (b) Slight increase in frequency of easterly winds 3-27 knots over last 20 years. Also an increase in easterly winds from 28-49 knots in the last 20 years with the frequency in 1959 and 60 the highest for the 20 year period. (c) Winds from SE, S, SW, W and NW showed a gradual reduction in frequency, especially in the 28-40 knot velocities. (d) Prevailing winds were south-west and west and predominantly 3-27 knots, while prevailing winds over 27 knots were from the east and north-east. Wind scales used were: Over 40 knots, 28-40 knots, 14-27 knots, 3-13 knots and calm less than 3 knots. The Rabone (1950) report contains a number of recommendations for the Coromandel, including: Kuaotunu Beach: This is comprised of two beaches (now known as Kuaotunu East and Kuaotunu West). The western beach was thought to be capable of sustaining small amounts of sand for local use only, and that only from near the stream mouth. It is noted again that this is a popular camping area. The eastern beach had been mined and supplied Whitianga with industrial sand. Rabone (1950) recommended closure of this beach and that Whitianga should get sand from Omaro Spit (Matarangi) starting December 1951. Note: Marine Department file:M4/1965. The file contains a request for a copy of Rabone's study. It is reported here that the Marine Department supplied copies of the 1911, 1923 and 1924 reports as background information for the Rabone report. Following the Rabone report the Engineer in Chief recommended that all beaches on the east coast of Auckland Province be closed to mining. This created strong opposition from the sand mining interests and construction industry in Auckland. A petition was sent to parliament complaining about the beach closures and Mr Sheat (MP) went on a tour of the Firth of Thames and along the east coast of the Northland Peninsula. As a result Mr Sheat came back with the recommendation that that the sand could be removed from Pakiri, Mangawhai Heads and the Waipu River mouth as was being done in 1952, and recommended by Rabone (1950). There was no comment about Coromandel beaches at this time. A 1961 report suggested wind erosion from the east and north-east was having an effect on all east coast beaches. Notes in the file refer to a storm 30 June to 5 July 1963. Auckland file 12/210 on Sea protection is mentioned in 1963. The Rabone Report described individual beaches and their suitability for supplying sand of shingle aggregate for industrial purposes to Auckland City and some of the supporting investigation information. Much of the file is on the Auckland and Northland region with a later section on Coromandel Beaches. The coverage reflects the reduction in importance of the Coromandel area as a source of industrial sand and shingle for the Auckland area. File 12/243 contains a report dated 1958 which suggests the recommendations by Rabone to close all beaches was too harsh and though sand mining had not stopped after the 1950 report, this report recommended that mining to continue. File 47/16. Sandy Bay Whitianga (NZMS1 N40 285738 (NZMS 260 T10, U10: 598917)) During October 1972, Mr Scobie of “Seafoods” Whitianga wanted sand for a Japanese fishing company who wanted weights for a special type of fishing. A permit for 100 yds3 (76 m3) was approved without inspection of the beach. An inspection as to be required if more material was to be removed. In November the beach was inspected and found to be approximately 502 m long by about 30 m wide, partly protected by offshore reefs. The beach changed from sand to rock for the eastern third of the bay, and to shingle and stone for the middle stretch of the bay below low tide. There was about 15,000yds2 (12,550 m2) and to obtain the 76 m3 would require an excavation of 6.5 mm depth. This excavation was considered likely to have minimal effect on the beach. There was no sign of erosion on the backshore of the beach. File 47/16. Otama In April 1967, Parry Brothers Ltd applied to take 2,400 yds3 (1835 m3) of sand from offshore at Otama Beach. It was claimed that Otama Beach could be worked when Whangapoua was not available. There was no evidence that taking this amount would be detrimental to the beach but it was recommended that the Marine Department or navy do a detailed hydrographic chart of the area that could be compared with a similar survey at a later date. File 47/16. Opito Beach During August 1971, a request was received from Cawdor Properties Ltd to remove approximately 1,250 yds3 (955 m3) of sand for building purposes from Opito Beach. The applicant had already removed 900 yds3 (690 m3) illegally from the beach. The sand was to be used as fill to obtain better access to the beach and to Matapaua Bay. The engineer noted that all east coast beaches had suffered erosion between June and September 1971 and that the requested volume of fill could not be recommended at this time. However, he thought that if the beach bar at the mouth of the Stewart Stream increased in size so that it partly blocked the bridge water way then some material could be removed from the bay of a regular basis to keep the stream mouth open. File 74/30/28 Part 1. Coastal erosion surveys Report covers period 1974 to 1983. BOPCC file 21/4. The file notes the existence of the Bay of Plenty Coastal Erosion Survey (1977) and the Coromandel Coastal Survey (1981). The storms of July 1978 appear to have started a review of protection works around the coast. The list includes; Kawhia 1953, Ohope 1954 (Tropical cyclone) Maketu Domain 1965, Waihi Beach 1968, Ohiwa 1969, Whitianga Esplanade 1969, Whangamata 1970, Kawhia 1970, Whitianga 1970, Waihi Beach 1971, Ohiwa 1972, Aotea 1972, Whitianga 1972, Ohope 1973, Miranda 1975, Waihi 1975, Kawhia community shore 1975, Waihi estuary 1977, Marakopa estuary 1974. Kuaotunu Beach was eroded at its western end. Matarangi suffered a small amount of erosion. At Matarangi there was minor erosion at the eastern end but no investigation further west. Whangapoua beach was scarped the full length. There are no comments on the condition of the beaches north of Whangapoua. There was a proposal for the Taranaki Catchment Commission to carry out a coastal survey from Cape Egmont to the Mohakatino estuary in1979. During March 1980 there was storm damage on Pukehina Spit followed by proposals for protection works. In January of 1980 there was a proposal to carryout a coastal survey from Cape Egmont to Paekakariki. The file contains several proposals but no information on any outcomes. MWD (Attwood) suggests that beach profiling is expensive and sometimes misleading and therefore recommended the use of aerial photographs to determine the position of the dune toe on each beach. No further information.

East Coast Coromandel Beaches, from Opito Bay north.

1967 - 1983

Frequency of collection: Infrequent

Gaps in collection: Many gaps in data collection as many files just summarise known information. Data quality: Quality variable.

Hard copy written files.

These files are publicly available in NZ Archives, Auckland Sensitivity/Confidentiality: No confidentiality – public information.

Files Closed

Related information: These files are related to Ministry of Transport files.