The $830 million Penlink highway, still under construction, continues to frustrate the community.

A separate proposal to end the Gulf Harbour Community’s ferry service has left locals uncertain of the Council’s decisions. 

In 2023, AT put forward a proposal to stop the service upon completion of Penlink.

The community moved together, gathering over 1350 submissions made to AT and presented to Auckland Council against this proposal.  

Anna Thorburn, the admin of the Gulf Habour Facebook page, shared the good news.

“AT announced full reinstatement of the Gulf Harbour Ferry Service on September 9, 2024. 

That’s a huge win, and we need to get the word out across the coast for everyone to use the service — if we don’t use it, we will lose it!”

Thorburn reinforces that the outcomes of the incoming Whangapāroa Transport Study will inform the feasibility of this transport option.

AT has said the final decision on the ferry will be made based on the data received from consideration of various long-term public transport options for the Whangapāroa Peninsula. 

The proposal to remove the ferry has since been removed, pending the completion of the Whangapāroa Transport Study.