Flood resilience projects

Following Budget 2024, Greater Wellington and MBIE’s Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit, Kānoa, have agreed to co-fund 16 flood resilience projects as part of a nationwide initiative. The programme spans 16 sites across Wairarapa and Ōtaki and are critical in future proofing community, infrastructure, cultural taonga and the economy, following a major flooding event.

There are 16 project sites with 15 being in the Wairarapa and 1 in Ōtaki. These areas have been chosen specifically due to flood vulnerability and broader outcomes for the local communities. The sites were identified and consulted upon through development of Te Kāuru Upper Ruamāhanga Floodplain Management Plan, the Waiōhine Rakahanga River Plan, and the Lower Wairarapa Valley Development Scheme, and all projects have been granted resource consent.

The 15 project sites, awa, types of works and estimated start dates are detailed in the table below.

Māori owned business Mills Albert have been appointed as the lead contractor for this project. They have previous experience in climate resilience and rock placement work for Greater Wellington. Engagement with iwi is on-going and native planting will be co-designed with iwi and stakeholders to ensure planting along the awa meets long-term aspirations. We are anticipating that iwi will be extensively involved in the planting mahi which will create employment opportunities for local whānau.