And the Otago Regional Council has also given them a boost, indicating its rules — which restrict new boatsheds — still allowed the Hoopers Inlet boatshed to be rebuilt.
The Otago Daily Times reported on Saturday the boatshed, famous as a feature of spectacular aurora photographs taken from Hoopers Inlet, had collapsed into the water during last Thursday’s storm.
Photographers and aurora chasers were among those upset at its loss, and some members of the Aurora Australis Facebook group were quick to suggest a crowdfunding campaign to help restore it.
The ODT understands the boatshed is owned by Ian Smith and members of his family, who live outside Dunedin but also have a house in Hoopers Inlet.
Mr Smith wrote a book on the history of Hoopers Inlet, including the boatshed, which was built in 1923.
Efforts to contact Mr Smith over the weekend were unsuccessful, but ORC chief executive Sarah Gardner encouraged him to make contact with the council.
The ORC’s coastal plan generally allowed for the maintenance, replacement or reconstruction of a existing structure like the boatshed as "a permitted activity".
"Council acknowledges the importance that the community places on this shed structure.
"We encourage the owners to contact the Otago Regional Council if they are seeking to rebuild, as every case needs to be assessed based on individual circumstances," she said.
