"Irresponsible" Behaviour Endangering Lives

Adults and children are putting their lives in danger by getting up close to the crumbling Urenui headland.

In October New Plymouth District Council put up warning signs and advised the public to stay away from the unstable cliff, where a triangle-shaped shallow cave had grown larger.

During recent weeks, fine weather and low tides have seen members of the public ignoring the warnings and exploring the headland.

“This week a gamily group was seen going into the shallow cave,” says Manager Parks Programmes Steve McGill. “About 30 seconds after they walked out, a truck-sized piece of earth fell right where they had been.

“We’ve had another report of a father throwing rocks at the cliff to try to make it collapse.

“This is totally irresponsible behaviour. People don’t realise there are tons of earth there that will collapse at some point, and if they’re beneath it they may not survive.”

The public is being urged to heed the warning signs and stay on the campground side of the river.