Rangitoto Wharf

In 2012 Hauraki Piling Ltd commenced construction on the new Rangitoto Island Wharf Ferry Terminal. There were both construction and logistical challenges on this project as the wharf was to be built out on the water and was situated on a remote island.

To manage deliveries of steel casings, concrete and precast units a barge called the ‘Zane Grey’ was called into action. The ‘Zane Grey’ was capable of transporting up to 15 tonne, and piles of up to 28 metres in length. It was also customized so that a concrete bowl could be mounted for pile concrete deliveries and a 6-hour retarder was applied to the concrete mix to allow this method of transport to work successfully.

Access to pile positions was constrained by working over water, centres of 11 metres and in the initial stages, protection of the historical seawall. To overcome these constraints a set of staging in the form of 610RSJ Double I-Beams were fabricated and used throughout the construction. The new piers were used as staging supports as construction proceeded.

The first section of wharf required coring of basalt and to enable drilling at 11 metre centres the Jackson Drill Rig was extended. The piles were bottom driven with steel plates welded on the toes and 2.5 metres of builders mix was used as a driving plug.

After 74 x precast units and 41 x steel casings were delivered the wharf was completed. Over 2,500 tonnes of permanent and temporary materials were transported to the island.