Protecting Ōrewa coastline with new seawall

Along the coastline at Ōrewa, a new seawall and shared walkway designed to protect one of the region’s largest beachfront residential areas from erosion while improving public access along the coast is taking shape. 

The project includes construction of a 600-meter seawall and shared path, planting along adjacent reserves, in-ground lighting, and improved beach access via three ramps and five sets of stairs.

Beginning in late 2024, and with a total project cost of more than $21 million, the new seawall and walkway is now nearing completion.

The project’s main contractor, JFC Ltd, appointed Vea Contractors as one of two stonemasonry contractors for the seawall works.

Since mid-2025, Vea’s crew of 18 stonemasons has been on site hand-shaping and placing locally sourced Auckland basalt to form the seawall.

The blocks are placed and aligned before being grouted in place using Holcim’s ECOPlanet cement, forming the seawall structure designed to perform in a coastal marine environment.