The Thames-Coromandel District Council is moving to shore up shipping as a viable transport alternative into and around the region should future severe weather events cut off communities' road access.
Severe weather frequently disrupts road travel across Thames-Coromandel.
Last summer brought six major weather events to the region - two of which were Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle.
Numerous roads were closed for short periods of time and many were reduced to one lane.
State Highway 25A was closed due to a large slip until December 2023 - a full closure of a major highway within the district for 10 months.
Other sections of the State Highway network, such as the Hikuai-Opoutere section of SH25 was closed, then reduced to one lane and open only to light vehicles for at least 3 months.
Following this mass disruption the Thames-Coromandel District Council commissioned a report into the prospect of shipping being a viable and reliable method of getting goods and people around, should the roads become inaccessible again.
It found coastal shipping - a so-called 'blue highway' - could be stood up fairly quickly and form an effective logistics pathway in an emergency response.
Len Salt is the mayor of Thames-Coromandel and speaks with Kathryn Ryan.
