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Background
Petone Wharf is a valued heritage structure and landmark in Lower Hutt. The 116-year-old timber wharf has been closed since 2021 due to storm and earthquake damage that compromised its structural integrity.
In May 2024, Hutt City Council commissioned an independent report by structural engineer Adam Thornton to assess the viability of three options: full restoration, partial remediation, or full demolition. The resulting report and cost analysis were shared widely, with feedback sought from the Petone Community Board, the Pito One Projects Steering Group, and local community campaigners.
With affordability challenges and strong community sentiment in mind, partial remediation was identified as the most feasible option. This approach involves removing a portion of the wharf head that was in particularly poor condition, while fortifying and retaining the remainder of the structure.
In 2025, Council formally agreed to proceed with partial remediation within a $12 million budget, as set out in the Long Term Plan. The project will preserve a significant portion of the historic wharf while ensuring the work remains financially responsible.
What’s Been Decided
Council will proceed with partial remediation of Petone Wharf. This decision reflects both the technical recommendations of the independent report and the views expressed during community engagement.
By choosing this option, Council is honouring the heritage and community importance of the wharf while staying within the available $12 million budget. The approach ensures a large portion of the structure can be safely restored and reopened, marking a significant step forward for the project.
Next Steps
With a direction now set, Council officers have begun:
- Pre-consent discussions with regulatory authorities
- Development of tender documentation to seek confirmed pricing
- Planning for the detailed design and consent phase
Pending approvals, remediation work on the approach could begin in 2026. More detailed information will be shared as the project progresses.
Project Updates
We’ll provide updates here every few months as the Petone Wharf project progresses.
April 2026 Update
Work on the partial remediation of Petone Wharf is progressing, with planning, consenting and procurement now underway.
To help manage costs and delivery, the physical works have been split into two stages:
1. Wharf approach (approximately first 290 metres)
This stage will focus on repairing and strengthening the main access section of the wharf. Work will include:
- replacing damaged structural elements
- strengthening piles and adding protective pile jacketing
- introducing two seismic gaps to improve earthquake resilience
2. Wharf head (approximately 110 metres)
Work on the wharf head will depend on confirmed pricing through the tender process. Current estimates indicate:
- around 60 metres can be repaired
- approximately 50 metres will need to be removed
- remaining piles will be strengthened and protected
Consenting and procurement are also progressing in stages:
- building consent for the wharf approach was granted in April 2026
- resource consent applications for the wharf approach have been lodged and are under review
- the construction tender is currently open via GETS, closing on 29 May 2026, with evaluations expected to be completed by the end of June
Subject to consents and contractor availability, physical works are expected to begin from mid to late August 2026.
Council continues to work closely with the Save Petone Wharf group and the wider community as the project progresses.
March 2026 Update
Procurement for the partial remediation of Petone Wharf paused in late 2025 while the new Council considered the future direction of the wider Pito-one Projects programme.
In February 2026, Council confirmed that work on Petone Wharf will continue as previously agreed in the Long Term Plan. This includes proceeding with partial remediation of the wharf within the $12 million capped budget approved in 2025.
Planning and procurement work for the remediation project will now resume, with further updates to be shared as the project progresses.
September 2025 Update
Earlier this month, a broken pile was identified beneath the wharf that posed a risk to beach users. The pile has been secured with temporary propping and local contractor GK Shaw will carry out carried out emergency works in October to secure the pile, re-level the deck, and reopen the area after a short closure.
In parallel, Council has completed a detailed dilapidation report, with above- and underwater inspections captured in photos and video. Specialists are now reviewing the findings to define the scope of works for tender, while planning staff prepare the resource consent for the wharf approach. Physical works are currently expected to begin in March 2026, subject to consent approval.