Our Reviews of the Wairoa Flood Event - June 2024

Hawke's Bay Regional Council Chair Hinewai Ormsby said, "We’ve witnessed the incredible strength, resilience, and unity of the Wairoa community during and after this unprecedented event and following what occurred during Cyclone Gabrielle. We are deeply committed to standing by you every step of the way as we work together to make Wairoa safer and stronger.”

Chair Ormsby said, “these reports, together with the recommendations of the Hawke’s Bay Independent Flood Review mean the Council has clear recommendations for action. These reports confirm that there is no simple solution. There are interim steps that we need to act on immediately to change now we manage the Wairoa river mouth, while the more comprehensive measures will take more time to put in place.”

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Chief Executive, Dr. Nic Peet said one of the key purposes of these reviews was to understand what occurred during this event so that the risk can be managed into the future.

“The reviews are clear that the flooding in June was the result of high rainfall, rising river levels, spring tides, storm surge as well as the position of the bar. These factors coincided to create 1-in-250-year event. We heard from residents that this type of flooding had not been experienced in living memory, and this is why.

“Even if the bar could have been opened, the flooding may not of have been prevented. However, all reports also indicate that there are things that HBRC can improve with regard to its management of the Wairoa River mouth.”

You can read the full media advisory here