The completion of five Wairarapa flood protection projects has been marked by a visit of the Regional Development Minister, Shane Jones, to a Greater Wellington project site near Greytown.

The five flood protection projects are among 16 in the regional council’s Flood Resilience Programme, and 42 nationwide that received government co-funding of $101million in Budget 2024.

Greater Wellington chair Daran Ponter welcomed the minister, South Wairarapa mayor Martin Connelly, and mana whenua to the Waiōhine River site known as Fullers Bend.

“Boosting the Wairarapa economy and sustaining its growth are key programme objectives, alongside protecting homes, schools, hospitals, businesses, farms, local roads and the State Highway from flooding,” Cr Ponter says.

“We’re proud to show the minister the impact of flood protection co-funding released last year, and how unlocking more funds this year will safeguard and support regional infrastructure and development.”

The site visit was facilitated by lead contractor Mills Albert, a Māori-owned business with experience building rock walls and groynes in rivers across the region for Greater Wellington climate resilience initiatives.

The native planting plan at Fullers Bend, and all projects in the programme, were designed with local hapū, iwi and landowners, generating employment opportunities for local whānau.

Greater Wellington Wairarapa councillor Adrienne Staples says jobs are being created to reduce the risk of flooding for public and private assets, through collective leadership safeguarding families and lifeline utilities.

“We’re grateful to the minister for sharing our vision of safer more prosperous communities, who benefit from building the infrastructure that protects their own lives and livelihoods,” Cr Staples says.

“Through our collaboration with Kānoa (the Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit), Greater Wellington is applying lessons learned from cyclones Gabrielle and Hale to build regional populations resilient to extreme weather events.

“To avert disaster and avoid recovery costs, we hope more flood protection co-funding is made available to defend and develop regional New Zealand.”

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