Meeting coming but still no explanation for damaged Wānaka tiles

They cost the Queenstown Lakes District Council $310,000 to put in and less than a year later some are starting to crack, but a council spokesperson indicates an explanation for Wānaka's problem-plagued tiles may be imminent. 

A QLDC spokesperson says the investigation into Te Ata Maumahara Millennium Path tiles is ongoing, but there's a meeting of those involved in the project scheduled for July 1.

"We expect to be able to provide a further update after that," the spokesperson says. 

Several of the tiles have cracked, while others have chipped. 

Council contractors have removed some of the tiles as part of the QLDC investigation.

The tiles, each etched with historical dates in hyper-local, national and international history, were laid in July 2023 to replace the original tiles that were installed in 2000 by community volunteers to mark the start of the new millennium. 

Crux understands the investigation began around February of this year, after a member of the public noticed that the tiles had been laid without silicone expansion joints and contacted the council with their concerns. 

They said the installation job completed by contractors was well-below industry standards, and an email from council staff acknowledged they were aware of the issues. 

The member of the public also said that without the silicone joints the tiles had no room to contract or expand, which they would do in cooler and warmer temperatures respectively.