AR & Associates Ltd (ARAL) and its consultant partners were commissioned by the Kaipara District Council (KDC) to participate in the Kaipara Harbour Feasibility Study. The principal objective of the Wharves & Water Transport Network Feasibility Study was to create a strategic plan that creates a vision for water transport on the Kaipara Harbour for Kaipara District Council.

The ARAL team focused on delivering a Programme Business Case (PBC) to support increased economic, social and environmental resilience for the district as part of the broader Kaipara Kickstart Programme (KKP). The Kaipara Moana Activation Plan (wharves) is one of the three pillars making up the KKP aiming to lift the district’s economic performance.

Further supporting the strategic direction for Northland provided by the Tai Tokerau Economic Development Action Plan, the Maori Economic Development Strategy for Northland, the district’s Long-Term Plan and numerous regional transport planning initiatives.

Our deliverable, which was submitted mid-2020, considered the feasibility of investing in water-based transport on the Kaipara Harbour over a span of 30 years. The Study’s three prominent objectives include:

• Developing a strategic plan that creates a vision for water transport on the Kaipara Harbour;
• investigating into potential network that may include passenger, vehicle and freight transport and
• Identifying high value wharf investments and supportive land-based activities.

Despite focusing on identifying an achievable water- based transport network for the district that supports its aspirations, it ensured it can be sustained using the resources of the council and its partners. In addition, it includes consideration of the landside developments that would be required for a successful network.

Through several stakeholder/partner workshops, industry interviews, community feedback and benchmarking research, a wide range of investment options have been developed, evaluated and refined to provide a draft Preferred Way Forward for consideration.