A fresh chapter in Akaroa’s history was celebrated by the local sea-faring community this morning following the reopening of Drummonds Jetty after a recent rebuild.
Community members joined elected members, contractors, and Christchurch City Council staff at Drummonds Jetty to mark the structure’s re-opening. The rebuild work included the installation of a floating pontoon, which was officially opened to the public today.
Te Pātaka o Rakaihautū Banks Peninsula Councillor, Tyrone Fields, noted the historical, social, and cultural significance of the wharf and jetty to the Akaroa community.
“If you go back and read the submissions, and remember the deputations, this is a community that really gave a damn about the future of its wharf,” he said.
“This project marks perhaps a new chapter for arguably the finest waterfront in the city, ensuring that it continues to serve our community and visitors for generations to come.”
Councillor Fields said the new state-of-the-art floating pontoon offered the depth needed for recreational and commercial boats, without disturbing marine life.
Marine infrastructure upgrades are now finished on both Drummonds Jetty and Daly’s Wharf. Both structures required work to be used as replacement sites when the nearby Akaroa Wharf is rebuilt by the Council in 2026.
Christchurch City Council Head of Parks, Rupert Bool says the Drummonds Jetty and Daly’s Wharf upgrades were essential to ensure the community had facilities available during the Akaroa Wharf rebuild.
“It was great to see the public enjoying the new pontoon today. We know the community will be happy to see the project progress, as we get closer to being able to start work on Akaroa Wharf.”
The wharf rebuild is expected to start early in 2026 and be completed by mid-2027. Geotechnical drilling work will now begin on the wharf, and is expected to take between two to six weeks.
A community information session will be held in March to update the community on design, timeframes and impacts of the Akaroa Wharf rebuild.
