Auckland beach lovers, dog walkers and fitness fans will once again be able to use the popular Kennedy Park stairs in Castor Bay in time for next summer thanks to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board.
“We know the community cares deeply about seeing these stairs be reinstated, so we’ve made the decision to renew the stairs with work beginning in the new financial year,” explains Local Board Chair Toni van Tonder.
Known affectionately as the “Kennedy Park stairs of doom” by local fitness fans who enjoy the challenge of traversing the steep flights of stairs from the Kennedy Park clifftop, down to the coast, the stairs have been closed since the lower flights were damaged during Cyclone Gabrielle in early 2023.

The Kennedy Park "stairs of doom" before the lower flights were damaged during Cyclone Gabrielle.
As the stairs have a history of failure due to their exposed cliff side location making them vulnerable to coastal erosion, weather events, fire and vandalism, the renewal includes additional storm water drainage and a secure gate that can be locked during extreme weather events. The board has also put a rigorous testing regime in place to monitor and maintain the stairs and help identify any potential failures before they happen.
Secretary of the Castor Bay Residents and Ratepayers Association Hamish Anderson says the renewal is a boon not just to the local community but Auckland-wide, with the stairs a popular destination during the summer months.
“This is such a well-used asset by the community, so it’s wonderful news that these stairs are going to be usable again.”
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