🌿 Asbestos Fragments Found Along Glendowie Foreshore – Let’s Work Together to Keep Our Community Safe 🌿
Over recent years, asbestos-containing material (ACM) has been discovered along sections of the Glendowie and Tāmaki Estuary foreshore, including Roberta Reserve, Karaka Bay, and Anderson’s Bay.
Since 2021, more than 300kg of ACM has been officially removed (and documented) from the Glendowie coastline — yet unfortunately, new fragments continue to appear in large numbers.
Confirmed fragments of white, brown, and even blue asbestos have been identified through certified lab testing in several areas:
👉 Roberta Reserve
👉 Anderson’s Bay
👉 Karaka Bay
👉 Parts of Tahuna Torea and the wider Tāmaki Estuary
Lab testing has also confirmed that, due to the age of some of these fragments, they were noted as becoming ‘friable’.
Photos taken Tamaki Estuary Coastline Feb-March 2025
No one knows yet where these pieces of ACM are coming from. They may likely come from old fill sites and stormwater runoff, and while efforts have been made to clean them up, new fragments continue to appear — especially after storms and king tides.
Asbestos can pose a health risk if fibres become airborne and are inhaled. It’s not something to panic about, but it is something to treat with care and awareness — especially for families with kids or pets who play on the beach area or near the shoreline.
💡 What can you do?
✔️ If you see unusual cement-like fragments with a fibrous texture, avoid touching them
✔️ Report any findings to Auckland Council Report a Problem or by phoning 09 301 0101
✔️ Encourage children and pets to stick to grassy areas rather than digging or playing in the
sand.
✔️ Talk to your local board members and ask what’s being done to manage this issue long-
term.
We know Auckland Council has started some clean-ups — but we believe more can be done to ensure safe, well-managed public spaces for everyone.
This is about caring for our community and coastline together — with transparency, support, and shared responsibility.
Let’s stay informed, stay safe, and keep looking out for one another. 💚
Above is written by Lauren Hawken, Committee Member
Contact: info@stheliers.org.nz