When outcomes change, lessons remain

Te Rāhui Herenga Waka was a bold and ambitious project to deliver a new commercial boat harbour for Whakatāne, Bay of Plenty - a first-of-its-kind Māori-owned marina development in New Zealand. Developed in partnership between Te Rāhui Lands Trust, Ngāti Awa, the Crown and Whakatāne District Council, the project set out to create a fit-for-purpose harbour supporting commercial fishing, aquaculture and marine services, while unlocking long-term economic and social benefits for the region. 

WARDALE played a key role in shaping the project, bringing strategic planning, demand analysis and marine infrastructure expertise to support its development through the fast-track consenting process.

The work focused on defining a viable harbour model, aligning infrastructure with industry needs, and helping articulate the project’s wider benefits — including employment, training opportunities and regional economic uplift.

The project successfully progressed through fast-track consenting under the COVID-19 Recovery Act, reflecting its significance as enabling infrastructure for Whakatāne’s marine sector. 

The proposed development in Whakatāne

Following detailed design and further investigation, the project was ultimately unable to proceed. A rescoping process identified significant changes to the scale and components of the development, alongside cost escalation, delivery risks and reduced economic outcomes, meaning it no longer met the original aspirations of the partners. 

Despite this, Te Rāhui Herenga Waka remains an important and complex project that demonstrates both the opportunity and challenges of delivering transformational marine infrastructure in New Zealand.

WARDALE thanks the partners, contractors and all involved for their time, energy and passion and we look forward to working with you in the future.