The wharf

Cornwallis Wharf at dusk

 

The original wharf was built in 1926 by the Auckland Harbour Board and then extended to 193m in length in 1927 to make it usable at all stages of the tide.

It made a safe landing place for passengers travelling the Manukau Harbour to and from Onehunga.Planning wharf construction

Later, in 1954, the outer half of the wharf was demolished in order to provide suitable wood to repair the inner half.

As the bach community thrived at Cornwallis, the wharf became a favourite fishing spot for the local and wider community, but the years took their toll on the wooden structure and maintenance bills increased

Sale and demolition

In 1989 it was sold to the Auckland Regional Council (ARC) for the paltry sum of $1. Time and tide increasingly worked against the structure until it became too unsafe and was condemned for demolition in 1994.

This, however, did not stop people from using the popular fishing spot as photos from the day show.

Following a public meeting held on the beach in July 1994, the Save Cornwallis Old Wharf (SCOW) group was formed.

Cornwallis Wharf from aboveSCOW fundraising

Funds were raised from a grant of $52,000 from the ARC, two grants from the Portage Licensing Trust, and various other local fundraising activities.

In 1998, SCOW a strategic plan was presented to the ARC, who promised $105,000 to go the project if SCOW could raise the same amount.

This was eventually achieved with a $50,000 grant from the Lotteries Board and the sale of wooden wharf planks.

Most planks featured a small plaque inscribed with a message or details about the donor. Each plank cost $100 plus $15 for the plaque and over 500 were sold. (Planks are still available and you can contact Gillman Rae on 027-485-9090 for information.)

Donations were also accepted from well wishers and those with fond memories of using the wharf.

In 1998 the wharf was demolished and rebuilt to 193m the following year. It’s official re-opening (photographed below by Ted Asby) was held on 9 July 1999.

Opening day for rebuilt wharf



Cornwallis Wharf in use today

Sponsor a wharf plank

To help raise funds for the reconstruction of the Cornwallis Wharf in the late 1990s, people were given the opportunity to sponsor an individual plank. Each plank cost $100 plus $15 for a small oval plaque.

The plaque contained a inscription about the donor or a personal message. Over 500 were sold.

If you are interested in helping to fund wharf maintenance costs, planks are still available to sponsor. Contact Gillman Rae on 027-485-9090 or email info@cornwallis.org.nz for information.

 Wharf repairs 2020-2021

The wharf was closed for much of 2021 for repairs. Items replaced as part of a $25,000 upgrade included:

  • damaged or rotting floorboards
  • two new sets of wooden stairs from the wharf to water level
  • a new landing platform for boats at wharf's far end 
  • replacement of damaged or broken handrails
  • replacement of damaged or broken safety rails.

Many of the handrails were damaged by people fishing over the years, as they cut up bait on the wood leaving deep cuts and gouges in the top of the rail.

Part of the repairs to Cornwallis Wharf in Auckland.

Funding for the repairs came from the estate of a west Auckland resident, who left $50,000 to be spent on wharf maintenance. Part of the generous donation was also used on water blasting and minor repairs.

Auckland Council asks users to respect the wharf as a valuable community asset and avoid further damage to its structure and safety features. The reopening of the two sets of stairs was especially welcomed by users, as these had been closed for safety reasons for many years.

Cornwallis Wharf support wrapped in Denso tape.

The first phase of repairs was completed in 2020 and involved work to wrap Cornwallis Wharf's wooden support piles in a strengthening tape (as shown in photo). Each wooden support was wrapped in industrial Denso tape to give greater protection to the aging wood. Much of the work at the eastern end of the wharf was done by trained divers as the tape can be applied underwater.

This first phase was funded solely by Auckland Council and carried out by STG Group – specialists in marine construction and maintenance. It was started in March 2020 and then paused for five weeks during the Covid-19 nationwide lockdown period.