decision making and timelines
Is there a set date for when the flood mitigation option will be chosen?
There was a meeting on Wednesday, 5 February 2025 where the Tripartite partners – WDC, HBRC and Tātau Tātau o te Wairoa Trust – discussed flood mitigation for Wairoa, including the two most technically viable flood mitigation solutions: Options 1C and 1D.
The partners collectively acknowledged the significant work that has occurred to date and the importance of flood mitigation for the future, and made it clear that they remain united in their commitment to ensuring action is taken to help protect the community of Wairoa. They also discussed, at length, the merits of both Options 1C and 1D, including their technical viability, hydraulic performance, and potential impacts to home and landowners across Wairoa.
At the conclusion of the hui, Wairoa District Council supported the Crown Manager, Lawrence Yule, in recommending 1C to Hawke’s Bay Regional Council as its preferred flood mitigation solution. Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa Trust indicated that it wouldn’t support a specific recommendation, and that the decision on a way forward should be made by mana whenua. The Trust also indicated it would support potentially impacted whānau, home and landowners in receiving the information they need to be able to make that decision for themselves.
On Thursday, 13 February, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council made the decision to support the progression of Option 1C, with the next step in the project being the further refinement of the profile and alignment of the proposed floodway to further minimise potential impacts to owners of whenua Māori, whānau, home and landowners.
Option 1C, with some flexibility to allow for further refinement of the final footprint, will now form the basis of the business case being submitted to the Government by 7 March. This is an important step in securing the Crown’s $70m of funding ring-fenced for community scale flood mitigation for Wairoa.
There was a meeting on Wednesday, 5 February 2025 where the Tripartite partners – WDC, HBRC and Tātau Tātau o te Wairoa Trust – discussed flood mitigation for Wairoa, including the two most technically viable flood mitigation solutions: Options 1C and 1D.
The partners collectively acknowledged the significant work that has occurred to date and the importance of flood mitigation for the future, and made it clear that they remain united in their commitment to ensuring action is taken to help protect the community of Wairoa. They also discussed, at length, the merits of both Options 1C and 1D, including their technical viability, hydraulic performance, and potential impacts to home and landowners across Wairoa.
At the conclusion of the hui, Wairoa District Council supported the Crown Manager, Lawrence Yule, in recommending 1C to Hawke’s Bay Regional Council as its preferred flood mitigation solution. Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa Trust indicated that it wouldn’t support a specific recommendation, and that the decision on a way forward should be made by mana whenua. The Trust also indicated it would support potentially impacted whānau, home and landowners in receiving the information they need to be able to make that decision for themselves.
On Thursday, 13 February, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council made the decision to support the progression of Option 1C, with the next step in the project being the further refinement of the profile and alignment of the proposed floodway to further minimise potential impacts to owners of whenua Māori, whānau, home and landowners.
Option 1C, with some flexibility to allow for further refinement of the final footprint, will now form the basis of the business case being submitted to the Government by 7 March. This is an important step in securing the Crown’s $70m of funding ring-fenced for community scale flood mitigation for Wairoa.
Who is paying for the flood protection?
Central Government has committed to providing $70 million of funding which has already been ring-fenced for community scale flood protection for Wairoa.
It is important to note that the Government requires a confirmed preferred flood mitigation option, and a business case based on that preferred option, to be fully approved by the relevant Minister/s by 31 March 2025. If this deadline is not met, the $70 million of Government funding could be withdrawn and there will be no flood mitigation for Wairoa.
Central Government has committed to providing $70 million of funding which has already been ring-fenced for community scale flood protection for Wairoa.
It is important to note that the Government requires a confirmed preferred flood mitigation option, and a business case based on that preferred option, to be fully approved by the relevant Minister/s by 31 March 2025. If this deadline is not met, the $70 million of Government funding could be withdrawn and there will be no flood mitigation for Wairoa.
