New lease of life for Coastguard Titirangi

The Coastguard Titirangi base at French Bay was a casualty of Auckland’s Anniversary Weekend floods. The 45-year-old building which housed its rescue vessel and operational base collapsed below a significant landslide. A rebuild at the French Bay site remains uncertain.

The lease of facilities at Onehunga Wharf gets Coastguard Titirangi back up and running, and was handled by Richard Ward, Precinct Portfolio Manager at Eke Panuku.

“Coastguard Titirangi has a vital role providing an emergency rescue service on the Manukau Harbour, so we are delighted to give them certainty with their operating base to get them back to looking out for boaties,” said Mr Ward.

According to Coastguard Titirangi President Maarten van der Zeyden, the new base and repairs to their rescue vessel damaged during the landslide completes the essential set up needed for a return to normal operations and training.

“It has been a demanding few months for our small unit of committed volunteers, and the outpouring of support from the community and our sponsors has been heart-warming,” said Mr van der Zeyden.

“We’re grateful for all the assistance we have received, which has been crucial in getting us back on the water. We are in a good position to help boaties across the Manukau Harbour to enjoy their day out on the water safely and with confidence,” he adds.

The vessel and crew of Coastguard Titirangi took over the new site on 1 June and have resumed their vital role providing an emergency rescue service on the Manukau Harbour.

Coastguard Titirangi is a registered charity and relies on funding to support its ongoing operation. It is one of three units based on the Manukau Harbour (alongside Papakura and Waiuku) and is critical to many search and rescue operations.

The commercial property management function that Eke Panuku undertakes on behalf of Auckland Council includes property leases, asset maintenance and tenancy management.