Technical guidance

Greater Wellington Regional Council Flood Protection has prepared two booklets to assist rural landowners, GWRC staff and contractors. These booklets are a best practice guide for River & Small Stream Erosion Repair.

• Stream erosion repair (PDF 2.3 MB)
• River erosion repair (PDF 4.1 MB)

The aim is to increase the proportion of native species in riverside planting on the rivers that we manage for flood protection in the Wellington region. We are responsible for enhancing biodiversity as well as flood protection. There are many situations where these two tasks can be complementary and better integrated. This guide explains how to recognise opportunities to do this, and put it into practise. This guide includes information on how to:

• Look broadly for opportunities at the river-system-scale
• Look for specific situations where native planting could be used
• Decide how to proceed, and optimise success, by using detailed criteria.

River berm planting guide

This guide is for Greater Wellington (GW) staff who carry out flood protection works. The aim is to increase the proportion of native species in riverside planting on the rivers… Read more here

date_range Published 14 Dec 2021

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This Environmental Code of Practice (Code) and Monitoring Plan (EMP) have been prepared with the initial purpose of complementing and supporting Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) in renewing resource consents for flood protection operations and maintenance works. However the ultimate purpose of the Code and EMP is more encompassing, as it is intended that it will continue to guide and monitor how all flood protection and erosion control activities are done across the Region.

GWRC seeks a 35 year term for the new resource consents, which is the maximum currently allowed under the Resource Management Act (RMA). To ensure that GWRC management of activities remains appropriate and focused over the life of the new consents, while at the same time retaining the flexibility to change in response to new information over time; it is proposed that an adaptive management regime be approved as part of the resource consent conditions. This approach is integral to the success of the Code.

A copy of the draft code of practice can be downloaded here:

Draft Environmental Code of Practice and Monitoring Plan

This Code of Practice (Code) is GWRC’s key document that directs how all2 flood protection and erosion control activities across the region are done, irrespective of funding, location and whether… Read more here

date_range Published 31 Oct 2014

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We have developed the Flood Hazard Modelling Standard to outline the protocols for new flood hazard modelling projects. The protocols ensure a robust and consistent approach, and in line with the accepted industry practice. It allows flexibility because the best approach may be dependent on the catchment or the project.

Flood Hazard Modelling Standard

Rivers are an important part of New Zealand’s landscape and culture. Not only providing environmental and social value to all New Zealanders, but holding a special place in Maori culture.… Read more here

date_range Published 06 May 2021

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Floodplain management planning is a process that results in a long-term strategy for managing flood risk, helping improve the security and quality of life for present and future generations living on a floodplain.  It better prepares communities for coping with a flood when it occurs, and aims to ensure that any future development considers flood risk.  A floodplain management plan (FMP) emphasises the need to ‘keep the river away from people’ rather than ‘keep people away from the river’.

The outcome of a floodplain management plan process is a document that guides how the floodplain and catchment should be managed to:

• Minimise risks to life, health and safety
• Reduce severity of flood damage
• Promote sustainable use of flood and erosion prone land
• Promote sustainable development of the wider catchment
• Use planning and community preparedness to ensure sustainable land use
• Identify options to manage the flood risk

Read a copy of our guidelines for Floodplain Management Planning:

Guidelines for Floodplain Management Planning

This document provides guidance on the floodplain management planning process, and on the preparation and production of Floodplain Management Plans. The purposes of the guidelines are to apply consistent principles… Read more here

date_range Published 30 Jun 2015

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