Earthworks at Ōpua boatyard and reserve spark concerns 5 Mar, 2021 04:00 PM 4 minutes to read Earthworks are underway at Doug's Ōpua Boatyard to lower a slipway used to haul boats ashore. Photo / supplied Earthworks are underway at Doug's Ōpua Boatyard to lower a slipway used to haul boats ashore. Photo / supplied Peter de Graaf is a reporter for the Northern Advocatepeter.degraaf@northernadvocate.co.nznorthernadvocat Earthworks at an Ōpua boatyard at the centre of a decades-long stoush over a public reserve have raised neighbours' hackles but the owner says the work is consented and will create a boatyard that's better for the environment.