Kohimarama Yacht Club has been granted consent to build a new boat deck and pedestrian ramp at its clubhouse at the eastern end of Kohimarama Beach in Auckland. What’s notable about that, project coordinator Hugh Forsyth says, is that the consent was granted non-notified.

“That’s virtually unheard of,” Forsyth tells Landscape Architecture Aotearoa. “When (planner) Dave Serjeant pushed for non-notification no one thought it would happen. But it met all the criteria. It won’t affect coastal natural character, it will be built on an existing structure, and the beach itself is entirely artificial.” 

The 800m beach was “refurbished” with 60,000m3 of sand barged from northern Hauraki Gulf. The beach, completed in 2002, is bookended by two naturalistic groynes, designed by Urban Solutions. Managing Director Lorenzo Canal gave his support and input to this latest proposal.  

New deck storage will protect sailors from ever increasing traffic while the Club further develop youth sailing. Forsyth says a key design objective has been to provide a cultural and physical amenity. This was developed by lead designer, Michael Boyce and Graham Tipene, who incorporated Maori traditions of navigation, waka and sailing into the forms.

Kohimarama Beach is one of the city’s most popular. It’s serviced by busy Tamaki Drive, an arterial route used by around 12,000 vehicles a day. Located nine kilometres to the east of the CBD, it has historical significance. 

The beach is the named landing place of Toi, the second major navigator after Kupe. Many generations of settlement are recorded. In 1844 Governor Fitzroy was met by a haka of 1600 on Kohimarama Beach, expressing iwi authority. In 1860, Governor Browne held a second conference at Kohimarama, attended by 200 chiefs from the North and South Island. He sought support against the Waikato chiefs. This was not given but two years later actions by Governor Grey led to the Waikato Wars.