The Central Hawke’s Bay township of Waipawa has got a boost with the confirmation of a $9 million joint funding package from Central Government and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC) for the upgrade of its flood infrastructure.

The announcement is positive news for Waipawa, which was badly impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle and now the funding has been confirmed, next steps include progressing the stopbank design and gathering site specific information to aid in a consent application.

Conversations will also begin with project partners and key stakeholders including landowners whose properties may potentially be affected by the works. Information about community engagement sessions will be shared in the coming months to enable Waipawa residents to be kept fully informed.

The height and width of the stopbank, which runs for three kilometres from Coronation Park to Rathbone Street along the left bank of the Waipawa River, will be increased to a 1-in-100-year flood mitigation level and will also include an additional 700mm of freeboard to meet flood infrastructure standards now being adopted across Hawke’s Bay. Wherever possible on the main river systems, vehicle and emergency access ramps will also be improved.

The upgrade project is part of Central Government’s and HBRC’s North Island Weather Event (NIWE) Resilience Programme – Level of Service Stopbank Improvement Project - a $30 million project to be delivered by HBRC.

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HBRC Chair Hinewai Ormsby emphasised the importance of the stopbank upgrade in safeguarding the community against future flood risks, particularly in the context of climate change.

"The damage to the stopbanks in Coronation Park and below the State Highway bridge during the cyclone were a significant concern for our community. While repairs were undertaken in the weeks after the cyclone, we recognise that these measures do not meet the new standards that have been developed post-Cyclone Gabrielle. Therefore, we are committed to making the essential improvements to ensure the safety and resilience of our community.

“We deeply appreciate the support from Central Government, which has provided crucial funding for this vital work in our rohe. This investment is not just about infrastructure; it's about protecting our people and our place. Together, through continued partnerships and dedicated efforts, we are building a more resilient future for Hawke’s Bay."

Central Hawke's Bay District Mayor Alex Walker says the “amazing” community in Waipawa would be thrilled about this.

"They have been articulating their local knowledge and fear of living behind these damaged stopbanks strongly and we now have the support to address their concerns. Cyclone Gabrielle has left an indelible mark, and progress like this is so vital for restoring confidence in having a safe future in our communities."

While the stopbank project is the current focus for improving flood resilience for the Waipawa township, HBRC is undertaking ongoing and complimentary river management and flood resilience work in the district. The Council is also working with its partners on the ‘Reimagining Flood Resilience’ project which is taking a longer-term view on the future of the Upper Tukituki and Heretaunga Plains Schemes. This project is still in the development phase but aims to engage with stakeholder groups from July 2025.

Note:

A 1:100 or 1-100-year annual recurrence interval (ARI) is a flood event that has on average a one in 100 chance of being equalled or exceeded in any given year. On average, a flood of this magnitude is expected to occur once every 100 years. However, since these are probabilities and not certainties: it is possible for two 1-in-100-year floods to happen within 100 years, or even within the same year.

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