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streams are not simply following the lowest path. It is part of a much greater phenomenon called “littoral drift”, which is the movement of sand by longshore currents parallel to the beach.

Because of littoral drift, Taranaki sand has been found as far north as Ninety Mile Beach. There is a large amount of sand continuously coming down from the west/northwest side of the mountain and out of Stony River. And due to the littoral drift, the sand is slowly shifting northward. The streams, especially during low flow periods, cannot compete with the strength and volume of the sand and choose the easier route parallel to the beach until they finally find an escape path to the sea.

This has become a problem as the Waimoku Stream has eroded under the spinifex that was planted to help stabilise the bank. The Wairau Stream has also eaten away the protective sand barrier so that wave action can get right up to the rock wall in front of

I was lucky enough to witness the bulldozer and digger working as they

redirected the streams. There was a great rush of water as the Waimoku Stream broke through the sand barrier. It seemed relieved to have a direct route back out to sea. The bulldozer and digger operators seemed to be having a bit of fun too… it  must be every little boy’s dream to be on the beach digging in the sand with real machines.

I was curious to know why the Council chose to redirect the streams in this way. Why not let them follow their natural paths? After speaking to Doug Hislop, Chair of the Kaitake Community Board, I have realised that the meandering