Restoration of Kaikoura Harbor Announced

New Zealand Ministers Gerry Brownlee and Steven Joyce announced today a grant of up to $5 million to help with the post-earthquake restoration of Kaikoura Harbor.

“This grant will ensure work can begin as soon as possible to dredge the harbor, which is a pivotal lifeline to the Kaikoura region,” said Acting Civil Defense Minister, Gerry Brownlee.

“The magnitude 7.8 earthquake on November 14 resulted in the seabed rising between one and two meters in some areas, which has severely restricted access to the region by sea,”added Mr Brownlee. “We want to help Kaikoura get back on its feet as quickly as possible, so this grant is another part of the support being provided by the Government towards this goal.”

Economic Development Minister, Steven Joyce said that a functioning reliable Kaikoura harbor is crucial to the economic wellbeing of the wider Kaikoura district.

“Tourism operators currently only have a two-hour window at high tide when they can use the harbor, while fisheries who rely on trailer-launched vessels are unable to operate at all,” added Mr Joyce. “We need to get the harbor restored as soon as possible, to get the blood pumping again in the local economy.”

Both Ministers are of opinion that the restoration work planned will incorporate safeguards to ensure any impact on the marine environment is avoided, remedied or mitigated.

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