ANZAC – Opening the Piha Stream & Lagoon

ANZAC Day has once again been the trigger that allowed us to open the Piha Stream mouth.

Without opening the stream, the ANZAC Service at the Lion Rock memorial plaques could not have taken place, as the area was under water due to the build up of sand and the resulting high level of water in the Piha Lagoon.

Sandra Coney of the Waitakere Ranges Local Board obtained permission to open the stream mouth and Sunday morning before the ANZAC parade Willie Beggs (Dig-It Excavators Ltd.,) Piha RSA and Piha R&R Assn. committee members coordinated the digging of a channel to allow the lowering of the water level.  Sunday evening rain assisted in maintaining the flow and the water level was reduced by approximately  400mm allowing the ANZAC Service to be held.

Piha R&R is continuing to work with Auckland Council Coastal Engineers and Safe Swim to achieve an agreement whereby the Piha Steam mouth may be opened to the ocean when it does not occur naturally.  It is expected that this may be required up to three times per year and will allow salt water into the Piha Lagoon, significantly reduce the danger of pollution in the lagoon and maintain a the natural estuarial ecology of the Lagoon.