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.”

Note:

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.

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