On The Up: Weka Point Scout Camp rebuild underway after Cyclone Gabrielle devastation
Rissington's Weka Point Scout Campsite swing bridge was destroyed in Cyclone Gabrielle and a $140,000 grant has been allocated to rebuild it, allowing construction to commence in mid-June.
The historic Rissington Weka Point campsite is being brought back to life after being devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle.
It includes a $140,000 swing bridge grant after being nominated as a Lions Clubs International Foundation Cyclone Gabrielle resilience project.
Camp warden Ian Paterson, who has been involved in the project, said the restoration of Weka Point was more than a rebuild.
“It is a new beginning, reflecting the resilience of scouting, the strength of community, and a commitment to future generations”.
Floodwaters during the cyclone in February 2023 from the Mangaone River engulfed the Rissington settlement, along with the campsite, leaving only the foundations of the two accommodation buildings.
The swing bridge was torn from its foundations and left destroyed across a neighbour’s farm.
Decades of native plantings were lost, and the site was covered in up to three metres of silt and debris.
The campsite was insured and the decision was made to undertake a staged rebuild, initially repairing the ablution block and progressing to the wastewater systems and swing bridge.
That rebuild is now well underway, made possible by the support of dedicated volunteers, local organisations and national funding.
The Hastings Host Lions Club, which originally supported the construction of the swing bridge in 2011, visited the site in February this year, on behalf of Lions Clubs International.
The Cyclone Gabrielle committee, put together at the time to oversee how Lions could help the local communities successfully, nominated Weka Point as a Lions Clubs International Foundation Cyclone Gabrielle resilience project.
They secured a significant grant of $140,000 towards rebuilding the bridge, with construction to commence mid-June.
The project will be led by Edifice Structures, specialist bridge builders with extensive experience working on Department of Conservation (DoC) projects.
Weka Point committee member Phil Crombie said the loss of the site and swing bridge was deeply felt.
“Weka Point is believed to be the site of New Zealand’s first ever scout camp in 1911, when “Little John” [John Cooksey] took a patrol of six scouts down to camp on the site.
“It was named Weka due to the large number of weka present at the time.”
He said the campsite grew into a well-developed facility, with accommodation buildings, an ablution block, a commercial kitchen and dining area, and a swing bridge to provide safe access across the river.
“Generations of young people from Hawke’s Bay and beyond have experienced adventure, friendship and personal growth on the site.”
The goal is to welcome young people back to the campsite in spring 2026.