Ōmanawa Falls locals want 'frustrating' visitors to closed falls trespassed

Kaitiaki from Ngāti Hangarau hapu are turning away dozens of people from visiting Ōmanawa Falls. Photo / George Novak

Residents around Ōmanawa Falls want authorities to start issuing trespass notices to send a stronger message to people flouting the entry ban.

Even with kaitiaki posted at the entry to turn people away, dozens of people have reportedly still tried to reach the long-closed falls, where two people have died in recent years.

The death of a man in a fall at the park on January 3 is being investigated by the coroner, and student Kishore Arvindan, 25, drowned in a pool at the base of the falls in 2018.

Another man died on January 3 this year after visiting Ōmanawa Falls. Photo / File

Members of local hapū Ngāti Hangarau have been spending time at the entrance to the falls since December, trying to educate visitors about the dangers as part of a trial programme with Tauranga City Council.

But two residents of Omanawa Rd, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, say it is "time" for trespass notices to start being issued by authorities.

One resident said it was "very disappointing and frustrating" people were being so disrespectful.

"Some nights half a dozen vehicles turn up after the kaitiaki has left," she said.

"Most of those who enter the falls are young people wearing backpacks and with towels around their necks, and their vehicles are often parked up for quite some time.

"I think what is happening is very sad as the kaitiaki are trying to save people's lives."

She said she recently watched two men jump her neighbour's fence to access the falls without being seen by the kaitiaki.

She said it was time for authorities to formally trespass offenders.

Another resident said her neighbour had installed an extra security gate to try to keep trespassers out.

She said it was time to trespass people "as it is only a matter of time someone else will be seriously hurt or killed".

Hapū member Ihaka Smith, who is one of the kaitiaki involved in the educational efforts, said most visitors were heeding their advice.

But he estimated up to 20 per cent of visitors were trespassing at the falls despite their warnings about the dangers. He was also aware people had been trespassing on residents' land.

He said both situations were "disrespectful".

"Our concern is the numbers of people putting themselves at risk, particularly those wearing highly unsuitable footwear expecting to be able to climb down the steep terrain.

"We are left in no doubt from [social media] that some of those we turn away are coming back when we are not here. That includes some people coming back more than once."

Kaitiaki from Ngāti Hangarau hapu are turning away dozens of people from visiting Ōmanawa Falls. Photo / George Novak

Smith said the visitor numbers varied widely depending on the day of the week, with as many as 40 people turning up some days to try their luck.

He said the main offenders were people in their late teens to early 20s. That included locals.

Smith said five teenage boys from Tauranga entered the falls on February 15 despite being at Covid-19 alert level 2 restrictions.

"I'm also aware of up to 15 locals who just keep coming back more than once ... If the community would do the right thing it would very much be appreciated.

"Doing so will save their lives and prevent the heartache for their families, and for the people who have to put themselves at risk to try to save them."

Ngāti Hangarau hapu chairman Koro Nicholas said overall visitor numbers had dropped considerably since the kaitiaki had been based at the falls.

"We are rapt by the positive response to us being there, especially from locals who understand and respect why were are here and what we are trying to do.

"Most people are really good at taking on board our advice when we explain the dangers and the cultural and ecological significance of this site and why people need to stay away."

Nicholas did not have exact visitor numbers but estimated it would be under 1000 people, with only about 2 to 3 per cent of those having blatantly flouted the closure.

"We really want people to respect the mauri of the river and our rohe, and what we are trying to do, and hold off visiting the falls until it can be made safe for public access."

The hapū and council are working with Tourism Bay of Plenty on a nearly $4 million plan to make access safe and reopen the falls to the public.

Paul Dunphy, the council's director of spaces and places, said visitor numbers had reduced considerably since the kaitiaki programme started on December 21, and since last month's death.

Despite this, it was "incredibly disappointing and frustrating" that a small number of people still chose to enter the falls, he said.

"Our message to the public remains the same: there is no public access to the falls. If anyone hears of someone planning to go there, please tell them not to.

"They risk their lives as well as those of the people who may be required to rescue them."

Regarding trespassing people, Dunphy said the council was providing vehicle registration numbers to the police to be followed up, as part of an effort to control the numbers of people trespassing at the falls.

A police spokesperson said all members of the public are trespassed from Omanawa Falls as it is closed.

"People who go there are not issued with trespass notices. If police are called there, however, they have the ability to prosecute for trespass.

"Police's role is to ensure the safety of all and it is concerning to see that people continue to trespass at Omanawa Falls despite the many deaths and injuries that have occurred there over a number of years.

"Less than two months ago a person lost their life following a fall at the park."

The spokesperson said the police had received two reports relating to trespasses at the falls this year.

"On one occasion there was a delay in reporting, and on the second occasion police attended and two people were referred to supported resolutions."