Case study
Whatarangi Cape Palliser – revitalising coastal resilience
Overview
Facing relentless erosion and storm damage along South Wairarapa’s exposed southern coastline, the South Wairarapa District Council needed a long-term solution to protect Cape Palliser Road – a vital link for local farming and fishing communities.
Challenge
Traditional rip rap defences were repeatedly displaced by storms, leading to ongoing damage, road closures, and high maintenance costs.
Project:
Whatarangi Cape Palliser
Location:
Cape Palliser, South Wairarapa
Size:
80 Meters Length
320 Modules
4 Tier’s High
Timescale:
36 Hours
Completion:
July 2025
Client:
South Wairarapa District Council
Contractor:
Fulton Hogan
Solution
The exposed and untamed coastline at Whatarangi presented an ideal proving ground for the EcoReef®’s coastal erosion protection system. The project scope was twofold: to repair an 80-metre stretch of storm-damaged coastline and to create an additional two metres of road shoulder to improve infrastructure resilience.
The project was delivered through a collaborative partnership involving EcoReef® creator Fred Waiker, the South Wairarapa District Council, local iwi and Fulton Hogan.
Result
The EcoReef® system was installed in just 36 hours, dramatically reducing disruption to the local community and ensuring uninterrupted access for residents, and businesses.
This rapid deployment also lowered labour and machinery costs, making the project more efficient and cost-effective.
Beyond speed, EcoReef® has proven its long-term resilience, withstanding multiple severe weather events without damage or the need for emergency repairs. Its modular design integrates naturally with the coastal environment, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional hard engineering methods like rip rap.