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Wairoa’s $70 million of Crown funding released 
Wairoa’s much-needed flood mitigation solution is one step closer, with the full $70 million of Crown funding ring-fenced for Wairoa released following joint Ministerial approval of the Project Delivery Plan (PDP). 

​You are invited to our Community Wānanga, at Takitimu Marae – Wharekai, 
Tuesday, 18 March, 5pm.
 
Since our last hui, the Wairoa Flood Mitigation team has been working to refine the preferred Option 1C. This hui is an opportunity for us to provide an update on that refinement process.

You are invited to our Community Hui, Thursday 6 March 2025 from 4pm with a presentation beginning 5pm at the War Memorial Hall, Queen Street, Wairoa.

This hui is specifically to provide an update on longer-term solutions for the Wairoa River bar and Kopu Road.

If there are any questions you would like to ask, please email them through in advance to [email protected] and we will do our best to answer them. ​

Crown Manager, Lawrence Yule, has welcomed the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s 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 ensure the best possible flood mitigation solution for the people of Wairoa. 

​“Today’s decision by the Regional Council confirming Option 1C as the preferred flood mitigation option was made on the basis that a number of important steps can occur first. 

​“From the outset, we’ve made it clear our shared kaupapa for this project is about finding the best possible technically viable solution that minimises negative impacts on whānau, their land and homes and protects marae, urupā and cultural taonga in the process. 

“At today’s hui, we made it clear that we intend to continue to refine the profile and alignment of the floodway proposed as part of Option 1C and reiterated that now is the perfect opportunity for this optimisation to occur in a way that further minimise the potential impacts to owners of whenua Māori, whānau, home and landowners where possible. 

“There is no question further refinement needs to happen, and it needs to happen at pace, in order to ensure we can continue engaging with impacted landowners to further progress discussions around land access.”

Mr Yule recognised the deep emotion present in today’s hui in discussing what is one of the most significant projects the Wairoa community has seen in decades. 

“I want to acknowledge the speakers at today’s hui, including representatives from mana whenua, Wairoa District Council, Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa Trust and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. The carefully considered positions of all involved will remain critical as we continue to work together to help safeguard the resilience and wellbeing of the community of Wairoa. 

“I also want to acknowledge people of Wairoa who have so willingly come together in pursuit of this shared outcome, particularly those whose homes and land may be impacted by what’s being proposed. There is still a lot to be done, and we appreciate the way the whānau continue to engage with us.”

Whilst today’s hui was significant step forward for the project, it in no way undermines the importance of continued conversations with mana whenua and the wider Wairoa community, Mr Yule says. 

“We’ve been talking about flood mitigation in Wairoa for some time now, and we’ve said all along that this is about working together, doing whatever we can to help ensure the safety of the community for generations to come. 

“There is still a huge amount of work ahead for us all, and our priority remains on working closely with potentially impacted whānau, home and landowners, and the wider Wairoa community, to deliver much-needed flood mitigation for Wairoa.”


ENDS

Earlier today, the Tripartite partners – Wairoa District Council, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, and Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa Trust – met to discuss 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. 

At its final decision-making hui next Thursday, 13 February, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council will consider all feedback and recommendations discussed at today’s Tripartite hui. The Regional Council will then make an informed decision on the preferred flood mitigation solution which will form the basis of the business case being submitted to the Government by mid-March.

Whilst today’s recommendations from the Crown Manager and Wairoa District Council, and the views of Tātau Tātau, are important steps forward in the process, it’s important to remember that a preferred flood mitigation solution is still only one part of the process, and there is still a huge amount of mahi ahead for us all.

It will remain critically important for us to continue to work with the Wairoa community – in particular, our focus will be on working closely with potentially impacted whānau, home and landowners regarding the land access required to deliver flood mitigation for Wairoa. 

As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring the community of Wairoa hears directly from us first, we are going to be hosting a wānanga at Takitimu Marae on the afternoon of 13 February following Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s decision-making hui. 
 
At this hui, we hope to be able to provide an update on the project and to let impacted home and landowners know what the likely next steps in the process are. This will include the process around obtaining independent property valuations and independent legal advice.

Finally, we would like to acknowledge those experiencing the most immediate challenges as a result of this important work. There is still a lot to be done, and we appreciate the way the whānau continue to engage with us.

In the interim, if you or your whānau have any questions, or if you need further help or support, please get in touch with the Project team –[email protected] or 027 236 7494.

You are invited to our North Clyde wānanga, at Takitimu Marae – Wharekai, Tuesday 21 January 5.30-7.30pm

Please note, this hui is specifically for potentially impacted home and land owners, businesses and North Clyde residents – particularly those within the current 2C land categorisation zone.
 
If there are any questions you would like to ask, please email them through in advance to [email protected] and we will do our best to answer them. ​

Wairoa flood mitigation kōrero continues to make progress

The continued progress of the Wairoa Flood Mitigation project is a testament to the collective commitment to working towards safeguarding the future of the Wairoa township, with community kōrero continuing in the lead up to 2025. 

​Wairoa Flood Mitigation Crown Manager, Lawrence Yule, said the project team and partners have now engaged with the majority of potentially impacted home and landowners, with a number of direct discussions ongoing. 
​
“Despite our shared commitment to minimising impacts on the people of Wairoa, whenua and cultural taonga, we acknowledge this is a difficult project and a tough time, particularly for those experiencing the most immediate challenges as a result of this important work.

“Back in mid-October, we commenced early engagement with mana whenua, including whānau, home and property owners potentially impacted by two of the most technically viable flood mitigation solutions – Options 1C and 1D. 
“Over the last two months, I have been deeply impressed by the willingness of most of those potentially impacted people to engage in meaningful discussion, and the genuine desire to want to work with us to help ensure the safety of Wairoa for generations to come.”

Mr Yule says that more technical project refinements are underway and will occur at the same time as the ongoing community conversations.
“Thanks to the support of landowners, ground testing work is ahead of schedule and nearing completion, refinements to the more technically viable solutions are being considered, and a land access and compensation framework has been confirmed and agreed in principle.

“We have listened to concerns and suggestions of the community and modified potential flood mitigation solutions, and we will continue to do everything we can to come up with the best possible technically viable solution that simultaneously minimises negative impacts on whānau, their homes and their whenua.”
Mr Yule said that as a community, the people of Wairoa have experienced devastating flooding events over and over again, and that this continued flood risk is an important reminder of the need to put solutions in place to help protect people’s lives, homes, and businesses.

“We are now only two months away from the two-year anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle and two months away from the point at which we are hoping to have a confirmed, preferred flood mitigation option agreed, with the support of impacted land and homeowners.

“I want to acknowledge those in the Wairoa community who are experiencing the most immediate challenges as a result of what we all know is a massive undertaking. We continue to move at pace, and while our timeline is pressing, we remain committed to doing this right.

“While our immediate focus remains on advancing flood mitigation solutions for North Clyde, I want to reiterate that as Crown Manager, I have been tasked with looking at all options to help protect the community of Wairoa going forward. 

“As I’ve said before, this includes looking at options for the long-term management of the Wairoa River Bar, including potential engineering solutions that may enable the Bar to remain permanently open in a hydraulically suitable location. It also includes ensuring the ongoing maintenance of Wairoa’s existing stormwater drainage network, as well as considering other longer-term environmental or infrastructure improvements to reduce flood risk. 

“It’s still early days for this important mahi, but it all forms part of a more holistic approach to flood plain management and the team and I am committed to ensuring we do everything possible to get this right for Wairoa for the future.”

ENDS

Everyone is welcome to a community Hui at the War Memorial Hall, Monday, 2 December from 6pm.

If there are any questions you would like to ask, please email them to [email protected] in advance and we will do our best to answer them. 
We look forward to updating you all on this important community mahi.