Ministry of Works Files – Piako River

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. Purpose: See data set abstract below.

12/1 Harbours and foreshores: Harbour and river works general, 1926-1937: July 1930: Regulations for the reclamation of mudflats for agricultural and pastoral purposes passed and gazette May 1930. File 12/243 Volume 1, 1950 onwards. This file refers to the “Rabone Report” on sand and shingle resources of the Auckland and Coromandel areas. 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. 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. File 6/119/1/2. Hauraki Drainage Board 1945–1956. This file deals with the financing of the Waihou and Piako rivers flood control scheme by the Hauraki Drainage Board. There is no environmental information but the progress of the drainage could be traced through these financial records if necessary. File 74/30/5/1/1 (pt 2). Hauraki Catchment Board Hydrology; Operational surveys File contains a proposal for a thesis studying the west coast of the Coromandel Peninsula by Mr Reitema. There is no information on whether this study went ahead.

Piako River and estuary.

1945 - 1983

Information gathered from physical files stored in NZ Archives. 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. Digital Format: Occasional images or reports scanned and stored by Waikato Regional Council.

This data is 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.