Erosion at Wainui

The course of rivers and streams never runs straight, and nowhere is this truer than where they meet up with the sea. Some N.Z. rivers run parallel with the sea for miles, as though reluctant to lose their identityin the ocean.

Okitu Stream at Wainui Beach was trying this tactic last month. Ignoring a groyne built to keep it on the straight and narrow, the stream doubled back and began threatening nearby houses.

Hurried repairs were made to the groyne, and a channel was bulldozed to the sea, but not before private protective works of nearby residents had been seriously damaged.

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General view shows how stream, which should flow out to sea at left, doubled back round groyne.

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The damaged groyne, and evidence of bulldozed channel in background

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Looking upstream. Note oil - drum protective works collapsing.