project Timeline
Where the project started, how it has been progressing and the goals for it's completion.
february 2023
Wairoa experiences severe damage to property and infrastructure in North Clyde during Cyclone Gabrielle
FROM JUNE 2023
Recognising that the people of Wairoa know the whenua (land) and awa (river) best, hui were held asking local people what they knew of the river and its patterns, what they saw and experienced during Cyclone Gabrielle, and what they thought might work best for the future. From these kōrero, a list of 18 potential flood mitigation options were further developed from an engineering perspective.
June - august 2023
As a result of the Hawke’s Bay regional land categorisation process, 627 North Clyde properties were categorised as 2A with small pockets of 2P category land near Frasertown.
August 2023
Hawke’s Bay’s councils finalise the terms of a cost-sharing agreement with the Government. As part of this, $70 million is specifically ring-fenced to deliver flood mitigation for Wairoa.
OCTOBER 2023
A Wairoa Flood Mitigations Scheme Stakeholder Group is established by the Tripartite partners, Wairoa District Council, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa Trust.
NOVEMBER 2023
The Wairoa Flood Mitigations Scheme Stakeholder Group meets for the first time to work through flood mitigation options. The Stakeholder Group continues to meet over an 8-month period, with input from river engineers, technical experts and mana whenua, to consider each option in more detail.
JUNE 2024
Wairoa experiences a second major flooding event causing further damage to the township, with 400 flood-affected properties, a large portion of which were along Kopu Road, and 128 yellow stickered homes.
JULY 2024
Cabinet agrees to an independent rapid review of Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s management of the Wairoa River bar following the June 2024 flooding event, to be undertaken by Mike Bush of Bush International Consulting.
AUGUST 2024
Crown Manager, Lawrence Yule, appointed to support Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Wairoa District Council in progressing the Wairoa flood mitigation work. Following the Crown Manager’s appointment, the scope of the programme is broadened to include both North Clyde and Kopu Road.
SEPTEMBER 2024
Bush International Consulting’s independent rapid review of Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s management of the Wairoa River bar is publicly released. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council also publicly releases three expert reviews to supplement the Government-commissioned review.
OCTOBER 2024
The Tripartite partners agree to support the commencement of early engagement with mana whenua, including potentially impacted whānau and property owners.
November 2024
Community engagement with the broader Wairoa community commences.
november 2024 - february 2025
Ongoing community engagement, including with whānau and property owners potentially impacted
by flood mitigation solutions being considered.
by flood mitigation solutions being considered.
february 2025
A preferred flood mitigation solution is confirmed and agreed, and publicly communicated.
march 2025
The Government requires a confirmed preferred flood mitigation solution, and a business case based on that preferred solution, 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.
APRIL 2025
The full $70 million of Crown funding ring-fenced for Wairoa is released following joint Ministerial approval of the Project Delivery Plan (PDP) based on preferred flood mitigation solution Option 1C+.
MAY 2025
Community feedback sought on proposed legislative amendment to enable the Hawke’s Bay Flood Protection Works Order 2024 to be used for Option 1C+
JUNE 2025
Land access negotiations completed for one property directly impacted by Option 1C+ with property valuations currently underway on several other properties.
AUGUST 2025
Cabinet approval for amended Hawke’s Bay Flood Protection Works Order 2024 received. Land access negotiations ongoing, and project procurement strategy advancing, with the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the design and construction phase released in early September.
Cabinet approval for amended Hawke’s Bay Flood Protection Works Order 2024 received. Land access negotiations ongoing, and project procurement strategy advancing, with the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the design and construction phase released in early September.
october 2025
Land access negotiations ongoing, project procurement strategy advancing.
NOVEMBER 2025
Early contractor involvement (ECI) process completed and preferred contractor appointed.
Early contractor involvement (ECI) process completed and preferred contractor appointed.
