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.
In late March, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council endorsed Option 1C+ - a refined flood mitigation solution for North Clyde that significantly reduces the impact to both whenua Māori and general title houses. This refined Option 1C+ formed the basis of the Project Delivery Plan (PDP) which received joint Ministerial approval in April 2025, enabling the Crown’s $70 million of funding to be released in full.
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.
In late March, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council endorsed Option 1C+ - a refined flood mitigation solution for North Clyde that significantly reduces the impact to both whenua Māori and general title houses. This refined Option 1C+ formed the basis of the Project Delivery Plan (PDP) which received joint Ministerial approval in April 2025, enabling the Crown’s $70 million of funding to be released in full.
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 required a confirmed preferred flood mitigation option, and a business case based on that preferred option, to be fully approved by the relevant Ministers. Joint Ministerial approval for the PDP occurred in April 2025, with the Crown’s $70 million of funding for Wairoa released in full.
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 required a confirmed preferred flood mitigation option, and a business case based on that preferred option, to be fully approved by the relevant Ministers. Joint Ministerial approval for the PDP occurred in April 2025, with the Crown’s $70 million of funding for Wairoa released in full.
