A new plan for managing the Wairoa River Bar is set to improve resilience for the Wairoa community in flood events.

The Intermediate Management Plan for the Wairoa Bar, led by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council in collaboration with Wairoa District Council and Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa, outlines a proactive approach to managing flood risks.

The top priority remains to keep a healthy open mouth in its optimal location, and where there are opportunities to relocate the mouth from a poor to ideal location – this will be progressed.

Also, as conditions allow, it has been agreed to carefully lower a section of the beach crest between Rangi-houa (Pilot Hill) and the old pier. This will be maintained, and monitored, and allow water to safely exit during a flood, reducing the need for emergency bar openings and helping to manage risk more effectively.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Chair Hinewai Ormsby says the plan is a more resilient way of managing the Wairoa River mouth.

“We’re grateful for the partnership with Wairoa District Council and Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa in delivering this important piece of work.”

The plan is a ‘living document’ that will be reviewed and updated as needed, she says.

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little welcomed Regional Council’s approach to river mouth management.

“Anything that can be done to mitigate flooding risks is imperative. As we near the first anniversary of the June 2024 flooding, I am mindful that we still have many people who have not recovered from the floods, and we will support anything we can to help protect our community."

Crown Manager Lawrence Yule has emphasised the importance of a holistic floodplain management approach for Wairoa, including both short-term and long-term strategies for the river bar.

“This plan marks an important step toward a safer and more consistent approach to managing the Wairoa River mouth. It’s also just one piece of the puzzle, and further work to develop a permanent, long-term solution to the bar is ongoing,” Mr Yule says.

The Regional Council says leading up to proposed work starting, an ecological survey of the Wairoa Bar was carried out. The community can expect to see gravel surveying starting in the coming days and diggers working on the bar in the coming weeks.

 Photo: The Wairoa River mouth last week

26 May 2025

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