A new concept video shows what Wairoa's long-negotiated flood spillway will look like once completed.
After Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023, Wairoa was given $70 million of Crown funding to provide the town with protection from future flooding. A large part of the town flooded again in June 2024.
Crown Manager Lawrence Yule said after two years of meetings, negotiations, feedback and hard work, the Wairoa Flood Mitigation project had made good progress in the past two months.
The project is anticipated to be completed by June 2027.
"The appointment of our preferred contractor, Goodmans, funding has been secured, and the Order in Council amendment has been approved, all significant steps forward," Yule said.
Tangible progress was being made, he said.
The appointment of the contractor also meant the project team now had additional expertise on board to assist with finalising the technical design and preparing for construction.
When the spillway was initially greenlit, the plan - called Option 1C+ - was to divert the Wairoa River through North Clyde at times of flood.
In its path was to be eight homes, 2ha of Māori whenua and 29ha of general land, including the Wairoa showgrounds.
The Wairoa River as viewed from the concept video. Photo: LDR / Wairoa Flood Mitigation Project
Land access negotiations remained a key focus, with the project team continuing to work respectfully with directly impacted whānau and property owners, Yule said.
In direct response to feedback from mana whenua, further refinement of the Option 1C+ alignment also continued, with ongoing work to narrow the floodway and minimise impacts on whānau, whenua and homes, wherever possible, he said.
The Crown peer review process had been initiated, with some engineering refinements highlighted, which the team was working through in more detail, with the support of technical engineering and construction expertise.
"Though we still have more detailed design and peer review works to complete, we have identified a resource consenting pathway that will allow the project to progress efficiently," Yule said.
"We continue to work toward the possibility of some construction activity during the current summer season, subject to achieving all necessary project approvals from the Crown."
At the heart of the project is a commitment to moving forward together, Yule said.
"This is about turning plans into action to protect the Wairoa community, and while much of the technical work happens behind the scenes, real progress is being made every day.
"As always, we remain grateful for the ongoing engagement and patience of the community as we work toward a safer future for all."
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
