Auckland Transport has announced structural repairs at Sandspit Wharf after inspections uncovered deterioration in several below-deck components, including piles and braces.
Temporary vehicle restrictions have been imposed on part of the wharf while the full repair programme is being finalised. Pedestrians retain unrestricted access and ferry services are continuing as normal, though the affected section is currently closed to heavy vehicles, fuel tankers included.
Work is expected to begin in July, with the actual start depending on weather conditions, the finalised scope of work, and whether the necessary materials can be sourced in time. Auckland Transport has noted that some materials are proving difficult to obtain, raising the possibility that the project may need to proceed in stages rather than as a single continuous programme.
The wharf has a recent maintenance history to draw on. A package of works completed in 2022 covered new stair sets, additional piles and bearers, brace replacements, and pile grouting. Despite that investment, a number of piles have deteriorated more quickly than anticipated, with the decline becoming particularly pronounced over the past 18 months. Those piles are now considered end of life, having passed the point at which grouting remains a viable remedy.
Auckland Transport's response is to fully rebuild the most heavily affected section of the wharf head and replace a substantial number of surrounding components. The aim is to bring the structure to a standard that removes the need for further major intervention for at least two to five years.
New stair design open for feedback
Alongside the structural repair work, Auckland Transport is proposing a redesign of the staircase at the wharf head. Rather than reinstating the existing large staircase in its current form, the proposal calls for two separate stairways positioned on either side of a central handrail, with the inner stair section removed. Auckland Transport says the revised layout would be more practical to use, more durable, and less costly to maintain over time. A drop-in session held on 4 June gathered community views on the proposal, and feedback from that occasion suggests the stairs are likely to be built to a width of 1650mm.
Those wishing to share their views on the stair design can do so by emailing ATengagement@at.govt.nz with the reference Sandspit Wharf stair design, or by leaving a comment on the Auckland Transport website. Feedback is open until Wednesday 24 June 2026.
