The surf was well and truly pumping at Ahipara yesterday, but no one was taking advantage of the conditions at Te Kohanga (Shipwreck Bay) or around the rocks towards Tauroa Point.
Te Takiwa o Ahipara has closed the gate at the top of the road leading down to Te Kohanga, to prevent the potential spread of Covid-19.
Patau Tepania, who was manning the gate yesterday morning, said it would remain closed until the Covid-19 alert level 3 was reduced to level 2 — which is unlikely to happen before Wednesday next week at the earliest.
The banning of access to the surf applied to everyone, he said, locals and well as visitors. If some were allowed to go surfing then others would surely follow, which would raise tensions and potentially defeat the purpose of closing the road.
The local reaction was somewhat divided. One long-time Ahipara resident who was reportedly told to get out of the water and leave earlier in the week was deeply concerned, not only about the immediate issue but what it might mean for access longer-term, but did not wish to be quoted.
