Hawke's Bay Regional Council is encouraging people to take part in shaping how we respond to coastal change - from citizen science to community surveys.

CoastSnap: Help track our changing coast

Ten smartphone camera cradles have been installed between Whirinaki and Clifton for anyone to use as part of a citizen science project tracking coastal changes.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council Deputy Chair Jerf van Beek says, “Our coast is changing, and the pace of change is getting faster. CoastSnap is a way for the community to become involved to help provide a visual record of coastal changes over time.”

The cradles are located at Whirinaki, Bay View, Westshore, Ahuriri, Haumoana, Te Awanga, and Clifton. A sign at each site explains what to do - simply download the CoastSnap app from the App Store or Google Play, and take a photo.

Regional Council Coastal Engineer Dr João Albuquerque said CoastSnap uses photogrammetry to turn photos into valuable coastal data.

"Every photo taken will be added to a community database used by scientists and planners to map shoreline changes. That information will help us improve our understanding of how our treasured coastal environments are changing, so please get snapping," says Dr Albuquerque.

CoastSnap is a joint project involving Hawke's Bay Regional Council, Napier City Council, Hastings District Council, and the University of New South Wales.

Survey: Share your views on coastal protection options

The Council is also encouraging people to complete a survey as part of the Clifton to Tangoio Coastal Hazards Strategy 2120 - a joint strategy developed with representatives from Mana Ahuriri Trust, Napier City Council, Maungaharuru-Tangitu Trust, Hastings District Council, and Tamatea Pōkai Whenua.

"The choices we make for our coast today will shape the Hawke's Bay our children inherit - where we live, work, and play safely by the sea. Early action matters, because it buys us time to consider further planning as coastal change increases over the decades. We want to hear from as many perspectives as possible before the survey closes," says Cr van Beek.

The Strategy is built on the best available science, which shows how coastal change is already affecting Hawke's Bay and what tools may reduce those risks. Alongside this evidence, community views are essential - not only about which steps to take first, but how to spread the costs over time.

A second survey is planned for the New Year, to ask for views on how the costs of undertaking actions to respond to coastal change can be met.

Have your say

Complete the survey online at www.hbcoast.co.nz, or pick up paper copies at libraries across Napier and Hastings.

Feedback from the survey will be combined with insights from focus groups, community reference groups, and recent drop-in sessions to help shape how options and funding approaches are refined before the Regional Council makes a formal decision in the 2027 Long Term Plan.

"Every view counts. If people don't take part, decisions may be made without their voice in the room. This is the moment to help shape the direction of our coastal future," says Cr van Beek.

More information:

CoastSnap: https://www.coastsnap.com

Coastal survey: www.hbcoast.co.nz

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