Ōhope Stormwater Upgrade Stage 2 - Maraetōtara East

Update 7 August 2017

Rabbit control using pindone - Maraetōtara Stream East to Te Akau St - August 2017

The Whakatāne District Council will undertake a rabbit control operation between Maraetōtara Stream and Te Akau St, Ōhope, commencing on or around 14 August and continuing for up to a fortnight.

Rabbit control will be undertaken using Pindone pellets. Pindone pellets are cylindrical, cereal-based pellets approximately 1-3 cm in length and dyed green. Pellets will be placed inside specially-erected enclosures and will remain on the ground until they are eaten or decompose.

Poison Warning signs will be placed at the start of each access way, as well as at set intervals along the dunes. It is a legal requirement that the signs remain in place for eight months after bait has been removed. Please observe all signage.

For their own safety, dogs must be kept on leashes when walking through the dunes and should not be allowed to wander in or near the treatment area.

  • All baits are dyed green
  • Baits are deadly to dogs
  • Do not touch bait
  • Keep out of reach of children
  • Feral animals may contain toxic residue
  • Do not remove animal carcasses for dog food

For more information, contact Paul Smith, Whakatāne District Council 07 306 0523, or Wayne O’Keefe, Indigenous Landscape 021 023 85608.


Update 22 June 2017

We have been undertaking a rabbit control operation in the Maraetōtara Dunes area over the last month. This has been very successful; however, there is a residiual population that requires more work.

A rabbit control operation in the sand dunes between the Maraetōtara Stream and Te Akau Street will recommence Thursday, 22 June 2017 through Thursday, 20 July 2017.

More information is available in the document below.

Ōhope Stormwater Upgrade Project update June/July 2017 - (PDF, 257 KB)


Update 25 May 2017

We are nearing the completion of a successful project. The drainage system was installed prior to Christmas, and six new catch pits now drain the area from within properties and out to the large soakage chamber installed along the dunes, between the Maratōtara Stream and Te Akau Street. In March, the link which discharges into Maraetōtara Stream was installed, completing the system.

Further details are available in the document below.

Ōhope Stormwater Upgrade Project update May 2017 - (PDF, 304 KB)


Update 14 October 2016

Installation of soakage chambersWaiotahi Contractors established onsite two weeks ago and started work proper this week. They are working on installing the soakage chambers on the dune from Maraetōtara Stream on the western end working east to Te Akau Street. They will follow through with the lateral connections to private properties. They are also developing detailed methodologies for the installation of the laterals.

Residents with queries can contact one of the following persons:

Paul Smith
Whakatāne District Council 
027 603 1789

John Hedges
Waiotahi Contractors
027 836 3510


Aerial view of the works areaThis project follows on from stage 1 of the Ōhope Stormwater Upgrade, which was completed in 2015 and serves the area adjacent the Chartered Club and immediately west of Maraetotara Reserve.

Stage 2 is required to improve stormwater drainage from the residential area between Maraetōtara Stream and Te Akau Street. A number of options were investigated; the proposed option involves catchpits at seven locations within the residential area, with pipework out to a conveyance/soakage pipe running from east to west along the dune. An overflow into the Maraetōtara Stream for large events is also proposed.

Resource consent has been received, and construction will be carried out by Waiotahi Contractors Limited between October and December. The bulk of this work will take place along the dunes between the Maraetōtara Stream and Te Akau Street, with lateral lines running between properties at seven locations. This project is expected to take approximately ten weeks to complete, and as there will be substantial machinery activity within this area, we are asking that people keep well clear of the areas where work is in progress. 

Waiotahi Contractors Ltd will make every effort to ensure minimal disruption to residents and the public during this time. Waiotahi project managers and Council representatives will be available to discuss the project detail, and any concerns residents may have, at 5:30 pm on Thursday, 29 September, on the corner of Te Akau Street and Ocean Road in Ōhope.

Cross section view of a typical stormchamber