Ford Road closures during whitebait season
Whitebait fishers are being asked for their patience again this season, so that speedy progress on the Kaituna River re-diversion project can continue.
Re-diversion work is on-track for completion this December and is expected to improve fishing access and whitebait habitat in the long term. However road closures and short term construction impacts mean that whitebaiting access to the Ford Road will be limited this season.
Fishers are encouraged to use alternative locations such as at the lower ends of the Kaikokopu, Pongakawa and Wharere Streams or the Maketū and Waihī Estuary entrances, which can all be accessed by public roads. Walking access to the Kaituna River is also available through the Lower Kaituna Wildlife Management Reserve on Pah Road.
Ford Road is open to the public all day on Sundays only. Ford Road closures remain in place from 7am-7pm Mondays to Saturdays. Fishers that wish to arrive before 7am on closed days and stay until 7pm may park at the road-end ONLY (north of the Kaituna Scenic Reserve public toilet) and whitebait only along the 100m stretch of Kaituna river bank closest to the ocean. Roadside parking is not permitted.
For safety reasons, fishers are asked to stay out of the Te Pā Ika wetland and stop-bank areas adjacent to Ford Road as these are still construction sites where significant hazards are present and heavy machinery may be operating at any time.