Wakatu Quay, Kaikōura

In 2020, Kaikōura District Council successfully secured $9.88m from the Kānoa – the Regional Investment and Development Unit’s Provincial Growth Fund to help develop this premium location. Since securing the funding it has been benefiting from enabling works to prime the Quay area for development.

It is anticipated that Wakatu Quay will provide tenancy opportunities including hospitality, tourism/activity operator, community gathering points and event space, areas to play/fish/walk and education/cultural facilities that will complement existing businesses in Kaikōura.

It will be accessible to all and celebrate the best the region has to offer. The development will include landscaping and plantings appropriate for the environment along with necessary upgrades to roading and carparking.

The Wakatu Quay development will have a positive impact on the community by providing a visitor draw and community space that can be enjoyed by visitors and residents alike, as well as providing local employment opportunities.

Work commenced in 2020 with demolition and clearance of the old commercial fishing buildings. By August 2022, a comprehensive resource consent application for the full development of six buildings was submitted to Environment Canterbury and Kaikōura District Council. External planning consultants Resource Management Group acted for Kaikōura District Council to ensure impartiality. Infrastructure enabling works have included water upgrades, Heritage New Zealand Grants Archaeological Authority, power supply and seawall repairs.

The historical seawalls were built over 100 years ago and have stood strong against everything mother nature has thrown at it. With the wharf currently an empty pristine site, it was an opportune time to undertake significant maintenance and repairs of the sea walls to ensure they remain robust and sturdy for another 100 years.

The majority of the required resource consents have now been granted, however resource consent is required under the Kaikōura District Plan for a Restricted Discretionary Activity for Wakatu Quay Development project activity.

The steps to the project include: ongoing engagement with potential investors and tenants, staged approach, detailed design process, procurement of contractors, construction stage for infrastructure, building(s), landscaping and public areas.

It is anticipated that the development will be staged over time, with a restaurant the first building on site (pictured).