![]() ![]() In September 2021, $400,000 of emergency work was approved on the southern bank stopbank. This would affect 82 people and 40 properties, who would need compensation by central government. One proposal made in a 2017 report was to remove embankments on the river's southern bank, allowing it to widen and flood several thousand hectares of farmland. MP Damien O'Connor said "piling more rocks around the river" was not a long-term solution. The work had not begun as of January 2021, leading to criticism from National MP Maureen Pugh and Regional Council head Allan Birchfield. The work included $18m for rock embankments on the north and south banks, and $3.8m to raise the level of the highway bridge. įlood protection was deemed a priority for the township of Franz Josef, and a $24m package was approved by the Government in July 2020, as part of the COVID-19 economic stimulus package. The bridge and one abutment was rebuilt and the road link reopened after 18 days at a cost of NZ$6m. The town was flooded and hundreds were evacuated. In a severe rain storm on 26 March 2019, 400 millimetres (16 in) of rain fell and the bridge over the Waiho, the only road connection to south Westland, was destroyed. A flood in February 2016 caused $30 million of damage. The riverbed is currently predicted to rise 2 m every 10 years, and in 30 years will be higher than the town itself. The bed of the Waiho (Waiau) River has significantly risen over the years, and increased rainfall and snow melt from the retreating glacier has caused the river's water flow to vary greatly. The town Franz Josef was then named after the glacier.įollowing the passage of the Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998, the name of the town was officially altered to Franz Josef / Waiau. In the 1860s Sir Julius von Haast named the Franz Josef Glacier in honour of the Emperor of Austria Franz Josef I of Austria. Local Māori called the area Waiau, which means swirling waters. The Waiho River runs from the Franz Josef Glacier to the south, through the town, and into the Tasman Sea to the north-west. Whataroa is 32 kilometres (20 mi) to the north-east, and the township of Fox Glacier is 23 kilometres (14 mi) to the south-west. There is really little to do in Franz Josef other than the glacier and even less to do in Fox Glacier (30 kilometres away on a very twisty, turny road).Grahams Hotel at the toe of the Franz Josef Glacier, 1932.Įstablished about 1911 by the Graham brothers and run by them it was sold to the New Zealand Government in 1947įranz Josef (officially Franz Josef / Waiau) is a small town in the West Coast region of the South Island of New Zealand. You can also fly over the glaciers (cheaper than helihiking, but still expensive). We spent 3 days in Franz Josef waiting for a break in the weather to get up on the glacier and just made it in on the morning of the day we had to leave. Often they are in clouds or it is raining and you can't get near because of the condition of the roads or the helicopters can't fly. Problem with both glaciers is also the weather. ![]() You can helihike on Franz Josef (costly, but highly recommended - you'll be right on the glacier for up to 3 hours, then soak in their hot pools as long as you want after). ![]() You can drive reasonably close to both glaciers and then hike a distance to get closer, but you'll still be a good kilometre or so away from the glacier's face when they post signs to go no further (danger, and I'd take their advice - people have died ignoring the warnings). Franz Josef would be my choice of the two. It's a good day's drive from either to the glaciers. Both glaciers are located on the west coast, halfway between Westport in the north and Queenstown in the south. But it certainly soured our experience in a beautiful country near the end of our visit! And it's too much to expect the local restaurants to advise their customers not to drive after a glass of wine. The officer was polite, but this routine behavior must be a real money maker for the government here, particularly since it is in a very touristy area and there must be good pickings in the evenings for tourists leaving the downtown area after a nice meal and glass of wine. This particular officer admitted that he had pulled over 10-12 cars this evening, apparently randomly checking with his test kit. One of us received a DUI citation after dinner, without any erratic or unlawful driving, and after only one small glass of wine in a local restaurant. And the standard for DUI is apparently much lower here than in the USA. Beware the DUI cop here! DO NOT DRIVE after even one glass of wine in a local restaurant! We were unaware that in New Zealand the police can just pull you over without any cause whatsoever and give you a breathalyzer test. ![]()
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