Flood mitigation makes progress, one year one from June flood event

​One year on from the June 2024 flood event, the progress of the Wairoa Flood Mitigation project remains a testament to the resilience and collective commitment to working towards safeguarding the future of the Wairoa township.
With more than 150 properties still yellow-stickered, the first anniversary of the June event serves as a poignant reminder of why flood mitigation remains so critical for Wairoa’s future, says Crown Manager, Lawrence Yule.

“As we reflect on the impacts of the June 2024 flooding event, it’s important to recognise the ongoing challenges and uncertainty faced by those still recovering from both last June and Cyclone Gabrielle.

“We must also look to the future and acknowledge the significant progress over the past twelve months as we work to advance much-needed flood mitigation solutions, both for North Clyde and the Wairoa River bar.”

The approval of the Project Delivery Plan (PDP) and confirmation of the release of the $70 million in Crown funding was a significant milestone, Mr Yule says.

“Since then, we have continued to engage with those home and landowners directly impacted by the proposed flood mitigation solution, including those on the southern side of the Wairoa River where small stopbanks will be constructed to provide further protection.

“Land access negotiations for one property have already been completed in full, and independent property valuations have been completed on several other properties. These are important steps as we continue to work with those directly impacted to try and find a solution that enables them to move forward with certainty.”

Provided land access and resource consents can be secured, Mr Yule says flood mitigation construction could begin as soon as late 2025.

"The people of Wairoa have shown remarkable resilience and patience throughout this process. The legislative amendments recently requested from Government will help streamline the consenting process and move us closer to construction," Mr Yule says.

“We recognise that for many whānau, this anniversary brings back difficult memories and emotions. Our commitment remains unwavering – to work together to deliver the best possible technically viable flood mitigation solution that protects lives, homes, and businesses while minimising impacts on our community.

“This project is about more than just flood mitigation – it’s about ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the Wairoa community for generations to come.”

ENDS

Community feedback sought as flood mitigation makes progress
The community is being asked to provide feedback on a proposed legislative amendment that would enable a streamlined consenting process – established to speed up flood mitigation works – to be used to deliver much-needed flood mitigation to Wairoa.
 
The Hawke’s Bay Flood Protection Works Order 2024 covers eight locations across Hawke’s Bay, including Wairoa, and sets out a streamlined resource consent process for flood mitigation works to help enable Councils to move Category 2C properties to Category 1. 

Whilst much of North Clyde is already covered under the existing Order, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has asked the Government to update the map and description for Wairoa to reflect the proposed Option 1C+.  

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Chair, Hinewai Ormsby, says the amendment will help to speed up the construction of the proposed flood mitigation solution.
“With the land access negotiations now well underway, it’s important to look ahead to the next steps in the project.

“Provided land access can be secured, our request to the Government is important to get confirmed so we can start construction as planned in late 2025. It’s also an important step for our Wairoa community who have been incredibly patient as we work through these matters.”

Crown Manager, Lawrence Yule, says the project continues to make good progress in other areas following last month’s confirmation of the Crown’s $70 million of funding.

“With the Project Delivery Plan (PDP) approved and funding confirmed, the project’s focus remains on securing the land access required to deliver flood mitigation for Wairoa.

“Negotiations have already been completed for one property, which is a fantastic outcome not just for the project but for the homeowners, who have finally been able to move forward with their lives more than two years after Cyclone Gabrielle. 
“Property valuations are currently being completed on several other properties, and we continue to engage directly with impacted home and landowners to try and find a solution that enables them to move forward with certainty.”

Mr Yule says additional cultural assessment activity is planned, to complement the Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) previously completed in late January.

“We recognise mātauranga Māori exists in many places and forms and remain very open to receiving further cultural input. We appreciate the way mana whenua, including marae representatives, continue to engage with us and thank those who have provided valuable input into this process.” 
ENDS
 
Have your say
The Ministry for the Environment will be accepting feedback on the proposed amendment until 5pm on Friday, 30 May 2025. More information is available online: environment.govt.nz/acts-and-regulations/orders-in-council/proposal-to-amend-order-in-council-for-hawkes-bay-flood-protection-works.
​
For more information, contact:
Hannah Heberley 
[email protected] or 021 272 8021

For more information on the proposed amendment, contact:
[email protected]

Monday, 28 April 2025 MEDIA RELEASE - Click here to read full story
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. ​