Mayor Tory Whanau said: "Firstly, on behalf of Wellington City Council, I’d like to extend my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Mr Sandy Calkin.
"We have reviewed the Coroner’s report into Mr Calkin’s death and accept the findings.
"We are heartened by the Coroner’s acknowledgment that the Council has taken “positive steps” towards safety at the waterfront, and recognise that a significant amount of work still has to be undertaken.
"Since 2022, we have implemented a range of actions to improve waterfront safety.
"We recognise that these actions cannot undo the past, but they represent our unwavering commitment to preventing future incidents.
"Our focus is to provide a safe environment for all who enjoy the Wellington waterfront. Council will soon commence a consultation process with the public to address edge protection options for the waterfront, so the public can have full transparency into the process."
James Roberts, the City Council's acting Chief Executive Officer, says: "As part of the Waterfront Safety Enhancement Programme, we are prioritising edge protection and lighting improvements across various aspects of waterfront safety.
"A budget of $11.1 million has been proposed for edge protection in the Council’s 2025-26 Annual Plan.
"In May, a business case detailing options for edge protection will be presented to the Council’s Social, Cultural, and Economic Committee. While a specific date is yet to be determined, public consultation on the edge protection options will be scheduled in due course, recognising the urgency of this work."