“I asked him what he was doing. He said he had been sent out to remove the tiki bar, but he wasn’t that keen on doing it.
“He said it was for safety reasons.”
A spokesperson for the council said due to an “internal miscommunication”, a worker was initially dispatched to remove the tiki bar, along with the other materials placed on the beach.
“It was subsequently confirmed that the items for removal were the steps and loose pallets only.”
The spokesperson said the steps were removed because they had been installed on public land without approval.
Richard Brimer, who has lived in the beachside community for 40 years, said the tiki bar had become a social hub for the community, but people gathering at a particular spot had been happening at the beach since he was a kid.
“There are always locals going to the beach to socialise. The tiki bar is just an extension of that,” Brimer said.
He said it was “ridiculous” that the council had come close to taking it down.
“It’s basically four bits of driftwood made into a small table and seats by locals.
“As for the steps, they were put there for a practical reason. To get people on to the beach safely.
“There’s quite a steep gap, we should have a seawall there.”
The steps were built by local qualified builder Luke Ottley and he said while he felt they were safe, he understood the council taking them away.
Ottley said the tiki bar was a popular place for locals to meet and socialise and he would not support its removal.
Councillor Hana Montaperto-Hendry, who lives in Haumona, said she was told there was a council worker at the tiki bar “doing their job” and that locals had a “differing view”.
“I had a chat, and we worked together to find an interim solution.
“The bar is still in situ for now.”
The council spokeswoman said the council was aware of “furniture associated with the tiki bar” and it was “monitoring the situation and will address any issues as necessary”.
There had been no complaints about the tiki bar, she said.
Council officers had identified the steps during “routine monitoring of council reserves and public spaces”.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.