Story: Coastal erosion

Haumoana at high tide

Heavy easterly swells with waves up to 6 metres high pounded the beach settlement of Haumoana, Hawke’s Bay, in March 2005. Walls built to protect property from the sea were reduced to rubble. People often blame the local authorities when such damage occurs, but in many cases coastlines have changed since authorities decided to allow houses to be built there. In 2005 the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council estimated that, each year, every square metre of Haumoana Beach was losing 10–12 car-trailer loads of gravel.

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How to cite this page:

Willem de Lange, 'Coastal erosion - Shifting sands', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/6330/haumoana-at-high-tide (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Willem de Lange, published 12 Jun 2006