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RNZ News
26-06-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Wairoa residents still distrust council a year after devastating flood
A year on from the devastating Wairoa flood, residents still fear for their lives when it rains. When the Wairoa River burst its banks on 26 June, 2024 it tore through more than 400 properties, causing $40 million of damage. The resilient rural community has rallied hard over the past 12 months , but the emotional toll of that awful day still lingers for many. Marie Tuahine was one of many who fled for their lives in the early hours of the morning. "It was quite traumatising. The panic of trying to get out and get the babies out, they had to be carried out because they would have drowned... the water was quite swift coming through here." Photo: Calvin Samuel Locals blame Hawke's Bay Regional Council (HBRC) for not opening a channel in the Wairoa river bar earlier, so the deluge could flow out to sea more easily . Instead, the swollen river could not empty itself into the ocean quickly enough and smothered the southern part of town. "I've been here over 50 years in this house and never seen anything like it before, and it's scary as, I mean, I could put up with an earthquake, but I couldn't put up with that," Tuahine said. An independent review of the flood later found the regional council lacked a plan and did not listen to locals. One of the report's conclusions was that if the crest of the river bar had been lowered, then the flooding may not have been as bad. Photo: Nick Monro People were only evacuated in time because an official was woken by her baby . The nightmare of Tuahine and her family's narrow escape still lingers, and when it rains the memories come flooding back. "I get quite emotional just talking about it because, you know, it all just comes back and you don't know. Every time it rains, you think, 'Oh God, have they opened the bar?' Because you just don't want this to happen again. I don't wish it on anybody." Rain events make her nervous, because she did not trust that the regional council had learned from its mistakes. "I don't have a lot of faith in the regional council, I think they're just all talk. They obviously don't give a shit about us because we've got our mayor, who's been fighting for us all the way, and we really appreciate that." Marie Tuahine's house in the Wairoa flood of June 2024. Photo: Supplied HBRC told RNZ it understood the event would have had lasting effects on people, and was working hard to rebuild that trust. The council said it had a new river management plan in place, and was also looking at options to protect the south side of Wairoa, which could include a more permanent positioning of the river mouth. "HBRC would welcome Crown input on where funding might come from for such a multimillion-dollar proposal," it said in a statement. The area of North Clyde had a $70m flood protection project underway, after it flooded in Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. However, Wairoa Mayor Craig Little wanted to also see protection for southern residents, and was hoping HBRC would build a groyne in the river to help guide it out. "So once we get that, then the people on this side, the south side, can actually know that the mouth is always open," he said. Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell and Wairoa mayor Craig Little giving an update on the situation in Wairoa in June 2024. Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel The mayor had written to HBRC, urging it not to be complacent. "We've still got a lot of work to do, don't think 'okay, that's behind us, we will move on now'. Everyone lives that every day in Wairoa. We've got to make sure it still stays up here so we never forget." Marie Tuahine's house in the Wairoa flood of June 2024. Photo: Supplied It was difficult for the town to move on when so many were still struggling to rebuild, with 83 homes yellow-stickered as many residents were uninsured and could not afford repairs. When RNZ visited Tuahine she was pleased to be back in her newly rebuilt home and was grateful she had insurance to cover the cost. However, her yard and driveway was still a mess from the flood, and the pensioner worried about how she would find the money to fix it. "Not only am I out of pocket, but the stress of it all - I'm trying to clean up on my own and not getting far. "A year on and I have a hell of a long way to go." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
30-05-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
‘A Safer Approach': New Flood Plan For Wairoa River Bar
An ecological survey of the Wairoa River has helped Hawke's Bay Regional Council devise a new plan for managing the bar. The Intermediate Management Plan, led by HBRC in collaboration with Wairoa District Council and Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa, outlines a proactive approach to manage flood risks and will improve resilience for the Wairoa community in flood events. The plan includes, when conditions allow, lowering a section of the beach crest between Rangi-houa (Pilot Hill) and the old pier. HBRC said 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. Wairoa Mayor Craig Little says anything that can be done to mitigate the risk of floods 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,' Little said. The new plan follows a Government review into the June floods over the decision by HBRC not to begin opening the Wairoa River bar earlier, given the information available to it. The review hit out at the council's culture, its communication with Wairoa officials and locals, its tendency to be overly optimistic, and the lack of warning given to those in the firing line of the potential for flooding in June. However, it did not go as far as stating an earlier opening of the bar would have avoided the floods that swamped the lower part of the township. About 127 homes were flooded and hundreds more properties were affected by water tearing through the northern Hawke's Bay town. HBRC says the top priority remains to keep a healthy open mouth in the river at its optimal location, and where there are opportunities, to relocate it from a poor to an ideal location. HBRC 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 said. Crown Manager Lawrence Yule said it was important to have 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,' Yule said. The Regional Council says the community can expect to see gravel surveying starting soon and diggers working on the bar in the coming weeks.
NZ Herald
28-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
New Wairoa River flood management plan is ‘a safer approach' – Hawke's Bay Regional Council
An ecological survey of the Wairoa River has helped Hawke's Bay Regional Council devise a new plan for managing the bar. The Intermediate Management Plan, led by Hawke's Bay Regional Council (HBRC) in collaboration with Wairoa District Council and Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa, outlines a proactive approach to
NZ Herald
13-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Capital Markets: Why councils should embrace asset recycling for growth
Late last year Infrastructure New Zealand, in partnership with Aurecon, released a report that should be essential reading for those intending to stand for council at this year's local body elections that open for voting in September. Titled Unlocking Value: Recycling Our Infrastructure Assets To Grow New Zealand, the paper explores the topic of asset recycling; partnering with the private sector on existing public assets and 'recycling' cash back into infrastructure communities need. It explains that existing assets are monetised to release capital and recycled to better use infrastructure. New or upgraded infrastructure delivers on public outcomes needed without raising debt. Asset recycling differs from privatisation as it 'recycles' capital back into higher performing infrastructure. The New Zealand public markets can help with this by offering councils options that do not burden ratepayers in needing to pay for increased levels of debt. Napier Port – a funding success Utilising New Zealand's public markets provides another tool in a council's toolkit alongside rate hikes, increased levels of debt, selling ground leases, development contributions and user-pays. Our markets cater for a range of funding options to raise capital whether it be an equity listing or raising debt. In 2024, $15.8 billion of capital was listed or raised on the NZX. This highlights the value of being NZX-listed in a capital-constrained environment. Each council may have different requirements for why it needs to access capital. For Napier Port, which was fully owned by the Hawke's Bay Regional Council (HBRC), it was about how it could expand its physical operation, diversify its risk and increase profitability – all without increasing the amount ratepayers would have to pay. HBRC and Napier Port Holdings explored multiple options, including private investment, leasing to an international operator, and an Initial Public Offering (IPO). However, retaining majority public ownership was a key priority, making the IPO the preferred strategy. They consulted extensively with local stakeholders – including politicians, businesses, employees, local iwi, ratepayers, community groups, shareholders and media. In December 2019, Napier Port Holdings listed 45% of Napier Port on the NZX. The IPO unlocked $234 million of capital, enabling Napier Port to expand its berth capacity. Importantly, the Napier Port IPO has delivered substantial benefits, enabling critical infrastructure expansion, financial diversification for the Hawke's Bay Regional Council, and economic growth for the community. Dividends paid to shareholders are higher than before listing. The Napier Port example shows that asset recycling is not about selling down the family silver, it is actually about growing the family silver, freeing up capital that can be better used elsewhere, and all to the community's benefit. This was community leadership in action, creating a positive legacy where regional councillors should be applauded for their strong governance. In the past couple of years Auckland Council has demonstrated similar pragmatism with the sell down of its 9.71% stake in Auckland International Airport into a professionally run, council-controlled organisation (CCO), the Auckland Future Fund. That fund is expected to provide additional funding to Auckland Council of around $40m of cash returns per year – all without raising rates or increasing debt. Where else could asset recycling help? There are many councils throughout New Zealand that would benefit from asset recycling. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is looking to reduce its 54.1% shareholding in the Port of Tauranga to ensure it better diversifies its investments through its commercial arm, Quayside Holdings. Christchurch last explored this in 2023 but councillors decided not to take the next step. The question for that city is: does the council through its investment subsidiary really need to own 100% of Lyttelton Port, 75% of Christchurch International Airport (the Crown owns the other 25%) and 89.3% of Orion Group (Selwyn Council owns 10.7%)? What direct benefits are the city and its residents gaining from this level of ownership at a time when the city will need additional capital for infrastructure to support 32,000 extra people in the next decade? Likewise, does Dunedin City Council need to keep 100% ownership of Aurora Energy? The sale proposal on the council table last year was aimed at reducing debt and creating an investment fund that could produce millions of dollars each year. That ultimately was not supported. The lines company has reported forecast debt level of $581m by the middle of this year. It is an asset that requires significant capital investment – money that may have to come directly from Dunedin ratepayers. A partial float could facilitate the growth capital Aurora requires without burdening ratepayers and, at the same time, retaining majority control for those who see it as a 'strategic asset'. Then there is Wellington International Airport. In October last year Wellington City Council was looking to sell its 34% stake in the airport to establish a new perpetual investment fund. That money ($492 million) was earmarked to help the city recover following a future natural disaster, address the council's insurance risk and reduce reliance on future borrowing. That too, narrowly failed to get the green light from councillors and now Wellington has a significant challenge on how to pay to improve its infrastructure. Without a solution, this financial burden could fall on ratepayers. The Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin examples are in many ways a community communications and engagement challenge. Councils keen on exploring asset recycling need to ensure they achieve community stakeholder buy-in and goodwill. And that includes engaging with local stakeholders and media and being open with them on what the process is and the outcome that is being sought. It is all about context and councils should not be afraid of debate if they have done their homework. That is where HBRC succeeded in Napier: it specified exactly where – and how much – of the recycled capital would go into specific infrastructure. If councils do this, it then becomes a discussion of gaining something new from something existing. It needs to be that granular to ensure ratepayers and stakeholders understand what the outcome of the proposal will be. Just saying the money gained from partially listing an asset will go into a consolidated council fund is unlikely to pass the sniff test with ratepayers. Transparency and outlining the funding alternatives for paying for community infrastructure – either more debt or significantly higher rates – are key. Otherwise, the long-term effect will be intergenerational inequity – the grandchildren of ratepayers will be saddled with debt paying for facilities granny and grandad directly benefited from. Using public markets to raise capital to fund growth, or to recycle capital back into high priority infrastructure is a win-win. Also, once listed, councils have the option to allow these businesses to raise secondary capital through the market to fund further growth and opportunities. Councils are more than just rubbish, roads and rates. Arguably they play a more important role in our daily lives than central government. The water you use in the shower, the local roads or trains you use to get to work, the parks, pools, playgrounds and halls where families play and exercise – they are all the responsibility of a council. And that infrastructure has to be paid for. It is simply unaffordable and disingenuous to say that ratepayers should solely foot the bill. Councils also have a key role to ensure they create a town or city where people want to live and businesses want to invest, grow, hire more people and, in turn, create wealth and value for their community. There is no magic money tree to pay for all of this. Utilising public markets to raise and recycle capital provides practical options for council funding. It is transparent, democratic and, as we have seen with Napier Port, hugely successful for all.
NZ Herald
05-05-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Hawke's Bay climate committee: Second council pulls out
'The HB Regional Climate Change Risk Assessment report predominantly uses data that already existed,' Little said. 'It did not involve a visit to Wairoa, that we are aware of, or discussions with our relevant staff. 'It highlights the fact Hawke's Bay Regional Council has collected very little information on the Wairoa district, eg the Clifton to Tangoio Coastal Hazard Strategy 2120, which doesn't carry on into the Wairoa district, and the fact the Wairoa River was never included in HBRC's 'outstanding water bodies'.' A spokesperson for HBRC said it was important every district felt seen, heard, and accurately represented in regional work like the Climate Change Risk Assessment. 'While the report does rely heavily on existing data, we want to acknowledge the Wairoa District Council staff who were involved in the process, including attending in-person workshops facilitated by Urban Intelligence, and contributing local insights and data. 'We've also had multiple meetings to try to ensure Wairoa-specific information was included. If any parts of the process didn't feel meaningful or inclusive, we want to learn from that. 'The joint committee is a collaborative effort, with equal representation from all five councils – including Mayor Little and councillors Roz Thomas and Denise Eaglesome-Karekare for Wairoa. 'We value their voice and remain committed to working in good faith with all partners to strengthen trust, improve future processes, and ensure every district – including Wairoa – sees itself reflected in this important work.' They said all councils were committed to the joint committee until the end of the trimester (October this year). Hastings District Council mayor Sandra Hazlehurst says it has two key focus areas for climate change: adaptation (preparing for the physical impacts of climate change) and mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions). 'Adaptation considerations include a focus on designing and building core infrastructure and ensuring our land use planning and rules support development in areas not subject to significant natural hazards. 'Mitigation includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions through sustainable transport, energy efficiency and waste reduction. 'These are vital for ensuring the future wellbeing of our people, and whether it's a regional joint committee or some other arrangement will be decided by Hastings' councillors in the next triennium.' Central Hawke's Bay District Council mayor Alex Walker says the region is no stranger to climate change. 'We've experienced the brunt of it and know how vital it is to be resilient, the impacts are real. We experienced two years of sustained drought in 2020 and 2021, the 'wettest year on record' in 2022, followed by Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. 'Where and how we live, and work in our district will change, and how we invest in our infrastructure must be responsible and informed. Our council is kaitiaki of over $1 billion of infrastructure assets and we must ensure every dollar we spend to repair, rebuild or improve is done through a lens of a changing climate. This is why we are part of the collaborative work in the region on climate change. '
