Ministry of Works Files – Raglan

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 6/54. Raglan Harbour Erosion and sand encroachment. Report starts December 1945. (See also 6/54/1) File documents foreshore erosion at the Bryant Home. On 18th December 1945, K. S. Bird wrote to the Minister about wind-blown sand affecting his farm which was located opposite Raglan township. He suggested that the PWD or SC & RCC look into stabilisation (Photographs in the Auckland Weekly News. Note file SC&RCC 50/155). Three aerial photographs of the area were included from 1945. This wind-blown sand was also mentioned in the soil conservators report of 1946. The sand was moving generally from a southwest direction. 250 acres (101 ha) were advancing at a rate of about 1 chain (20 m) per year. The suggested cure involved; (a) a Manuka wind fence along the foredune, (b) Marram grass nurseries in the dune complex, in which case extra plants would be needed to be brought in from outside, (c) Clear wide spaced Marram plantings, (d) Exclude stock and allow natural regeneration. The farm had been under Loan and Mercantile stock and station agents till 1937 then reverted to Maori owners who let it deteriorate and the stock to graze the dunes; hence the mobile sand problem. The report suggested support funding for the farmer but there was no departmental involvement. By 1950, Local Governments were making overtures to MWD about Raglan and Aotea moving sand problems. In August 1951 Raglan Citizen’s League complained about erosion along Cliff Street. It was noted that the sea wall (cliff) was 6 feet (1.8 m) from the road outside a house and that one more decent westerly would make it 5 feet (1.5 m). A report in 1951 noted that the cliff was at right angles to the harbour entrance and therefore perpendicular to wave action. It was proposed that mass concrete sea walls similar to what residents had built towards the wharf should be used. This was considered road protection and therefore the responsibility of Raglan County Council. There is nothing further on Cliff street problem. May 1954, Cox Bay Raglan. The cliffs were eroding and locals were trying to protect them. Remains of a sea wall were evident on the beach and section boundaries were claimed to be below the LWM. An engineer suggested a replacement sea wall. The Raglan locals wanted a low retaining wall to protect the cliff toe (Marine file M4/4239). MOT indicated that if the wall extended below mean high water mark then plans and licenses were necessary. In May 1956 a resident was trying to put rubble on the beach in front of his section. There is a report from the inspector of fisheries on file 13/1235, Marine Dept Auckland. The map shows legal boundaries to HWM. During August 1957 the secretary of the Raglan Harbour Board wrote requesting that the Board be given control of Raglans foreshores for management purposes. In July 1960 a Newspaper cutting entitled “Plan to clear bar at Raglan to be investigated”, Waikato Times claimed the Works to do the investigation. The completed report concluded that the harbour was gradually silting up and that over time the bar will gradually enlarge. No financial gain was determined to be had by removing the bar. In October 1963, a reference was made to the fact that construction of the Omahina Creek causeway was to be delayed indefinitely. Note: there are the logs of three boreholes on file. Bore 1 . 0 –9’ (0–2.7 m) Soft silty sand 9–11’ (2.7–3.1 m) Boulders and sand maximum size9” (228 mm). 11–31’ (3.1–9.4 m) Andesite rock. Bore 2. 0–7’ (0–2.1 m) Soft silty sand. 7 11’ (2.1–3.1 m) Andesite rock. Bore 3. 0–4’ (0–1.2 m) Soft silty sand. 4–6’ (1.2–1.8 m) Boulders and sand maximum size 9” (228 mm). 6–26’ (1.8–7.9 m) Andesite rock. (Further file references: 36/3/1/10 Hamilton Residency MWD (child welfare training centre), Hamilton Residency drawing office. 67/F51 Hamilton laboratory MWD. Marine Department files 38/14/1/1, 13/108 (1961-1968) also 62/119 (mh1/49) 2/801, 23/2b/4). File 6/6. Raglan Wharves. Report starts 1919. In May 1919 the Te Akau wharf was constructed. The Raglan wharf was at the same time under construction. 14th May 1923, a voucher was given to contractor to build a sea wall as part of contract 472 - “Protective wall near launch wharf”. There was £1 for £1 subsidy. This was part of 5 chains (100 m) of sea wall. There is a large jump in dates suggesting that a different file number was used during this time. January 1954 involved plans to extend the Raglan wharf. 1959 contains notes about extensions to the Raglan wharf. There are also plans for the construction of the Bow Street Jetty. In 1966 Raglan wharf extensions were completed, and the land was vested in the Board. Ocean beach to Whale bay was vested in the Board for the purpose of control. File 6/541. Erosion of Foreshore Raglan. Report starts 1947. Erosion in front of the Bryant Home. Cured by the supply of Marram grass seedlings to stabilise the moving sand. Nothing further mentioned. File 6/157. Sand encroachment on the West Coast. Report covers period 1950 to 1965. The Raglan County Engineer requests afforestation plans for Horea, Raglan and Aotea Harbours. Further requests are contended by farmers for help from Waikaretu, south of Waikato Heads, Waikorea, and Raglan 1965. Subsidies are available for sand stabilisation through the Department of Agriculture. SC & RCC funds were only for farm lots consisting of pines. There is a report by Bestall entitled Sand dune reclamation 1952-64. It describes the process as carried out at Woodhill Forest near Muriwai. This document explains the process as carried out during the 1950s. File 74/30/28 Part 1. Coastal erosion surveys. Report covers period 1974 to 1983. 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 carry out a coastal survey from Cape Egmont to Paekakariki. The file contains several proposals but no information on any outcomes. 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.

Raglan (Whaingaroa) Estuary and adjacent open coast beaches (including Wainui)