Local Kaitiaki and Omanawa Falls park ranger (cut out) have a safety message for visitors. Photo / Sandra Conchie
A guardian posted at the entrance to the closed Omanawa Falls access says dozens of people are being turned away every day – with some still slipping through and risking injury to themselves and rescuers.
Social media posts promoting the beauty of the falls seem to be part of the problem, with some would-be visitors saying that's what drew them to the falls in spite of official warnings.
A steep access leading to the base of the Omanawa Falls is in disrepair and has long been closed.
Locals and tourists alike, however, have been undeterred by warning signs, fencing and no parking lines, with several visitors to the falls injured over the years – some seriously.
In April 2018, student Kishore Kumar Arvindan, 27, drowned in the pool at the base of the falls while trying to rescue a female friend.
This summer, cultural ambassadors from local hapū Ngāti Hangarau have been attempting to educate visitors on the dangers of the falls and turn them away at the entrance – an effort in partnership with the Tauranga City Council.
The hapū is also working with the council and Tourism Bay of Plenty on a nearly $4 million plan to make the access safe and eventually reopen the falls.
The Bay of Plenty Times spoke to a kaitiaki posted at the falls, who asked not to be named.
He said the ambassadors had turned away hundreds of potential visitors since they started on December 20.
The number of visitors had increased from about 30 to 60 a day since then. Neighbours also reported people arriving after kaitiaki leave for the day.
"One of the locals has told us that since Boxing Day there had been as many as 100 cars parked up along the road at various times of the day," the kaitiaki said.
"We have had visitors from Whangārei to Wellington and even had some people from Vancouver who told us they learned about the beauty of the falls from Instagram.
"I would say at least 95 per cent of people have positively taken on board our advice and we hope they convey that message to their family, friends, and other visitors.
"However, we are aware of at least three people who have entered the park before we came on duty and yes, there are likely to be others, which is very disappointing," he said.
"Already one person has died here and several others have been injured. We don't want any more people losing their lives, or being seriously injured including any rescuers."
He pleaded for people to respect the ban and the reason the kaitiaki were there.
"We've had people tell us that the young man's death in 2018 was just a 'one-off' and they don't think it could happen to them.
"But just getting down to the falls takes a very significant and dangerous effort and people could easily die if they attempt to do so.
"We're not security guards, and we can't physically prevent people from going into the falls, but really hope people will respect the reason why we are here."
Among the recent visitors who decided to turn back after speaking to a kaitiaki were Jess Lambert, 21, from Whakatāne, Wellingtonian Grace Taikato, 22, and 21-year-old Aucklander Nicola Cosmann.
Lambert said they had tried to visit the falls a couple of times before but never managed to get passed the entrance gates.
She said they were disappointed not to be able to swim after seeing social media posts reporting the falls were a "very beautiful" place to visit.
"We looked on Instagram which shows the terrain is quite steep but we weren't intending to jump off anything high."
Lambert said they now had a better appreciation of why the ban was in force.
"It's great to hear the council and the hapū are working on opening the falls to the public up again. We will definitely be back when that happens."
Omanawa resident Sarah Levers said she and other local residents were "rapt" to see the kaitiaki on-site but had been disappointed to watch some people just walk by them.
"The local hapū members have been doing a great job but people are still turning up in large numbers."
She said lots of people had visited the falls after the kaitiaki finished for the day.
Levers said there was a park ranger on duty last month and in early December which had helped but now there was only the kaitiaki and a cardboard cutout of a ranger.
She was "frustrated" the council had not moved to fine or trespass people which was what she believed would happen if a resident illegally went on to private property.
Levers said by 7pm on December 29 there were 10 cars parked at the falls and more vehicles were arriving.
"They all turned up after the Kaitiaki went home," she said.
Gareth Wallis, the council's community services general manager, said the council had no plans to fine people who flouted the ban.
"We urge people not to visit the falls. We will continue with an educational approach for now, and ask people to please stay away."
Wallis said the council was committed to opening the falls to the public and he hoped design plans would be done mid next year.
"The falls and surrounds have significant ecological status and the steep cliffs, which are unstable in parts, means creating safe access would be challenging," he said.
"Features likely to be part of the plans included a viewing platform and upgraded track as well as supporting infrastructure, including carparking and public toilets."
Regarding rescue missions, there were at least two moderate injury cases this year.
This included a 16-year-old local who fell from a rock face on September 29 and
a man who suffered back injuries after jumping off the waterfall on October 5.
TECT Rescue helicopter pilot Liam Brettkelly said he and his colleagues backed the council's safety messages "100 per cent" and warning signs were there for good reason.
"We have already had one death and we don't want to see another or anyone else seriously injured... It's just a matter of time if people persist in going there."
TECT Rescue Helicopter service marketing manager Sharni Weir said each rescue mission at the falls cost the service $9500.
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