Full Steam Ahead for Auckland's Half Moon Bay Ferry Pier

May 18, 2016
Construction has begun today on the new Half Moon Bay ferry pier, which when complete will provide a new, modern and safer ferry experience for its users.

Construction has begun on the new Half Moon Bay ferry pier, which when complete will provide a new, modern and safer ferry experience for its users.

It will be an important part of the new public transport network for east Auckland, due to be in place in late 2017.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges, Mayor Len Brown and Howick Local Board Chair David Collings marked the start of construction by turning the first sods at the end of Ara-Tai in Half Moon Bay. It is due to open by late 2016.

The $5.9 million project is funded by the Government through the NZ Transport Agency, the Howick Local Board through its Transport Capital Fund and Auckland Council.

During the last five years, patronage of the Half Moon Bay ferry has increased by over 50 percent to reach 372,141 total passengers in the 12 months to April 2016.

Mayor Len Brown says, “Residents have been waiting for this for more than a decade so it’s great, with the united city, we can now make this happen. I want to acknowledge the critical role of the Howick Local Board in enabling this to occur.

“Public transport patronage is going gangbusters with ferry services up 6.1% in the 12 months to April 2016 compared to the previous year. In April ferry patronage was up 9.6% on the previous April, showing continuing growth as services are added and improved.

“This high quality, sheltered pier will encourage more people to save themselves the long drive to the central city.”

Howick Local Board, Chair David Collings says “The local board by being prudent with our Transport Capital Fund, was in a good position to make available up to $2.5 million towards this well overdue project, which will provide an improved all weather facility for ferry users. We also appreciate the strong support and financial assistance of the New Zealand Transport Agency and Auckland Transport.”

Auckland Transport Chair Lester Levy said that the construction of the new ferry pier at Half Moon Bay is consistent with a wider long term redevelopment plan for the area.

“The new ferry pier is designed to make immediate progress on a modern and safe facility within the available funding. It will become a key transfer hub for passengers using buses and ferries with better integration of services as the new public transport network for east Auckland rolls out towards the end of 2017.

“The ferry facility will provide an efficient public transport option to and from east Auckland.”

The new ferry pier will be similar in build quality to the Hobsonville Point ferry pier which opened in 2012.

Construction will happen in the following phases:

  • Piling work for the fixed wharf
  • Pre-manufactured pontoon and gangway floated and secured into place
  • Land based construction work on the bus stop and turn around area will mark the end of construction.

Features and benefits of the new ferry pier:

  • Safer and accessible for everyone and designed to provide a greater level of shelter against the elements for passengers using the pier
  • Design will reflect the history of the local area
  • It will be located at the end of Ara-Tai, separated from leisure boat users
  • A sheltered cycle storage facility which has been recently built near the dinghy lockers will be relocated to within the new pier area