Vehicle access to the beach remains closed but the council says pedestrians, surfers, kite surfers and horse riders were welcome. Photo: RNZ
Parts of Muriwai are about to reopen to the public for the first time since Cyclone Gabrielle.
Auckland Council says one of the four cordons in the coastal community will be lifted at 6am on Friday morning - the outer cordon, on the corner of Waitea Road and Oaia Road.
The cordons have been in place since February due to severe weather damage and have prevented anyone except residents from entering.
Cordons remain in place at the start of Domain Crescent and Motutara Road - from the intersection of Motutara Road and Muriwai Road, to the intersection of Motutara Road and Coast Road.
There will be security in place at the remaining cordons, which restrict access to areas with a continued safety risk.
Vehicle access to the beach, and 4WD access at Coast Road, remains closed.
The council asked people with horse floats and trucks to avoid weekends because of the congestion that was expected.
"Auckland Transport has undertaken geotechnical assessments to ensure the roads that will reopen in Muriwai are safe and can cope with increased traffic volumes. However, as the roading authority it reserves the right to close the road if high levels of rainfall are recorded in the area, to reassess it again to ensure safety.
"To keep traffic moving safely, Waitea Road will be temporarily reduced to 30kmh and no stopping will be permitted," the council statement said.
One of the land slips that has forced evacuations and red or yellow stickered homes at Muriwai. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro
Council deputy group recovery manager Mace Ward urged visitors to be respectful.
"Muriwai residents have gone through a very tough time, and we urge visitors to be mindful of the situation."
Some Muriwai residents might disapprove of the decision to reopen, but people had a legal right to visit, he said.
"Four Muriwai cordons were put in place following the devastating cyclone in February to reduce the risk to public safety and also minimise community distress while the immediate aftermath of the extreme weather was assessed.
"We are delighted to have reached this milestone and to have local and international visitors once again visiting this magnificent location. We thank Aucklanders for their patience while Muriwai been closed to visitors."
