The Pontoon Design and Build

We know our community loves the water and everything to do with it, whether it’s for recreational activities like fishing, gathering kai moana and boating or for commercial activities.

We also know how busy the wharf and existing pontoon can become particularly during peak season and how, increasingly there is more demand than ever for space to load and unload boats and jet skis.

That’s why we are looking to construct a new pontoon at the eastern side of the wharf.

A second pontoon will give the wharf more capacity for the community who rely on the water to live, work and travel, while making the harbour more accessible for recreational, rescue and commercial activities.

What's happening now?

We’ve completed investigations, including underwater mapping and arborist and geotechnical surveys, and have confirmed the layout of the pontoon. We are now wrapping up final details before we move to the next stage of this project.

In the coming months, we’ll look for a contractor to construct the pontoon and finalise its design. We’ll have more details on how the pontoon will look and what else may be included in the project once this stage is complete.

Construction is expected to start in mid-2022.

Project milestones

November 2021

Investigations such as underwater mapping and geotechnical and arborist surveys underway
February - March 2022

The construction of the wharf is tendered and pontoon design is finalised.
March 2022

March 2022 Final design is shared with the community.
June 2022 onwards

Construction is underway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to know more? We’ve put together some FAQs to help answer some of those burning questions.

Why has it been put in this location?

The eastern side of the wharf has been selected because it is the closest location to the boat ramp which will make it easier to maneuver boats in and out of the water. It is also a deeper location which allows us to build a longer pontoon and is better suited because it won’t affect the beach on the west side of the wharf and avoids the boat haul out facility.

Why not put it west of the wharf?

We considered this location but found the conditions were not as ideal and it is further away from the boat ramp negating some of the benefits of having a second pontoon for getting boats in and out of the water.

Is this location final?

At this stage, the eastern side of the wharf is the most ideal location for the new pontoon. However, during the design phase of the pontoon, we may find a different location is better suited. We’ll be able to confirm the location and details once the design has been finalised and we’ve secured a contractor to build it.

Has the community been consulted on this?

Last year, as part of the early stages of this project, we held two workshops with community representatives to discuss the project and possible locations for the wharf. Using feedback gathered at these workshops and through further investigations, the east of the wharf was determined as the most suitable location for the new pontoon.

We also know there is a desire within the community for a second pontoon to help meet growing demand on the wharf and existing pontoon for recreational and commercial uses.

Will the wharf still be open to the public during this time?

We’ll do our best to minimise any disruption to the wharf during construction. However, there is potential that some parts of it may need to be closed off from time to time for work. We’ll know more on the exact details once the work has been tendered and the design of the pontoon finalised.

We’ll keep you up to date as we progress.

How long is construction likely to take?

Construction is expected to take around 8 months to complete starting in mid-2022.

What can I expect during construction?

As with any major construction, we expect there may be some noise and vibration for short periods of time. However, the majority of the work will be carried out from a water-based piling rig. We’ll know more on the exact details once this work has been tendered and the design of the pontoon confirmed.

How is this project being funded?

In 2019, Waikato District Council and the Raglan Community Board were granted $2.5 million in funding from the Provincial Growth Fund. This has been allocated to this project and three projects which are focused on the improvement of the wharf and wider harbour now and into the future.