The Wairoa Flood Mitigation project has achieved several important milestones over recent weeks, with progress across land access negotiations, cultural assessments, and technical design work bringing the project closer to its year-end construction start target.

Two land access agreements with directly impacted property owners have now been completed, and a further two agreements are expected to be signed in the coming weeks. Positive progress is also being made across several other directly affected properties.

Crown Manager, Lawrence Yule, says the land access process remains one of the project’s primary focuses – a process that requires careful balance between community urgency and respectful engagement with directly impacted whānau.

"We understand that a large number of properties in North Clyde are waiting for this flood mitigation solution so they can rebuild their lives with confidence and certainty. At the same time, we know this is an incredibly difficult process for the whānau, home and landowners whose land may be directly impacted by what we're proposing," Mr Yule says.

"These conversations require time and care and cannot and should not be rushed. However, we also have an obligation to the wider Wairoa community who are waiting for this solution to rebuild their lives with confidence and certainty.

“That's why we're doing everything we can to maintain momentum and keep this project moving forward. We're currently working toward confirming the final spillway alignment and associated engineering considerations as well as being in a position to finalise all land access negotiations by mid-December, which would, in turn, enable construction activity to commence before year end."

Contractor involvement and cultural processes continue

The project has maintained momentum on technical workstreams that can progress in parallel with land access negotiations.

Following the release of the Request for Proposal for early contractor involvement (ECI) and final construction in early September, prequalified contractors completed comprehensive site visits and technical assessments throughout September as part of the ECI process.

This ECI process forms part of the broader project procurement strategy which includes a specific focus on utilising local contractors and supply chains from within the Wairoa District.

Three additional marae-led Cultural Impact Assessments are in their final stages of completion, led by mana whenua representatives of Takitimu Marae, Ruataniwha Marae, and Tawhiti a Maru Marae.

A comprehensive cultural hikoi and walkover was conducted by cultural advisor John Hovell in mid-September. In addition, further assessment of Takitimu Marae whenua, including the area surrounding Waihirere Urupā, is scheduled to be completed in the coming weeks.

"This comprehensive cultural assessment process ensures that Mātauranga Māori, cultural values and taonga are properly considered as the project progresses," Mr Yule says.

Positive outcome for some Frasertown Road properties

A number of properties on Frasertown Road have received confirmation from Hawke’s Bay Regional Council regarding their recategorisation from provisional Category 2C to Category 1, following recent further technical assessments which confirmed that flooding in the area came from the Awatere Stream / Paeroa Drainage Scheme, rather than the Wairoa River.

"This is excellent news for those property owners who can now move forward with certainty in their recovery," Mr Yule says.

"While we celebrate this positive outcome for these Frasertown Road families, it also reinforces why the broader Wairoa Flood Mitigation project is so vital. A large number of properties in North Clyde are still waiting for the comprehensive flood mitigation solution that will enable them to rebuild their lives with confidence."

Detailed design refinement advancing

Final refinements to the Option 1C+ alignment continue, including finalising the floodway alignment, width, and dig-down depth requirement. These refinements incorporate feedback from mana whenua, home and landowners, and are critical to securing the land access required for the project.

Detailed design of protection measures on the south side of the river near Mitchell Road, including stopbank heights, is also being finalised.

"We're taking a pragmatic, time and cost-effective approach by ensuring technical work that can progress does so, while we continue to work respectfully with those whose land is directly impacted," Mr Yule says.

"Our shared kaupapa remains finding the best possible technically viable solution that protects homes, businesses and marae, urupā and cultural taonga, while minimising impacts on whānau, their land and homes.

"There's a huge amount happening behind the scenes, even if it's not always visible publicly. We're committed to keeping the community informed as we move toward construction, and we deeply appreciate the patience and engagement shown by everyone involved in this process."

For more information about the Wairoa Flood Mitigation Project, visit www.wairoafloodproject.co.nz.

13 October 2025

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