Keep on keeping off the breakwater!

Published on 01 December 2025

Callouts to breakwater drop by 94.6% between 23/24 and 24/25

Summer is here, and so is the annual reminder that locals and tourists are not permitted on the Oamaru Harbour Breakwater. However, it’s also time to celebrate the large drop in the number of people on the breakwater.

Last year Council wrote to accommodation providers and provided bilingual flyers and signage highlighting the prohibited areas of the breakwater. It also encouraged visitors to view korora at the Ōamaru Penguins or any other locations not prohibited by the Otago Regional Council consent conditions.

This, along with some fencing, resulted in dramatic drop in the number of people on the breakwater.

Between December 2023 and April 2024, 1342 people were moved on from the breakwater. For the same period in 2024 and 2025, that number was just 72.

This change in behaviour has saved Council money, with the cost of callouts going from $6000 to just $630.

Waitaki District Council has ownership of the Macandrew Wharf and Harbour Breakwater. As part of the resource consent issued by the Otago Regional Council in 2007, public access is not permitted.

The Coastal Consent is available for the public to read on Council’s website now.

While we recognize that for some walking on the breakwater was an essential part of their child or adulthood, Council would like to encourage the community and visitors to find another spot to view korora or fur seals and avoid any further expense to the ratepayer.

ORC Coastal Consent - Breakwater(PDF, 194KB)

ENDS

media@waitaki.govt.nz