Central government and councils unite: $242 million secured to strengthen Hawke’s Bay’s defences

Published: 13 February 2023

Flood protection isn’t just about fixing what broke during Cyclone Gabrielle - it’s about planning for what’s next. With $242 million of funding secured, Hawke’s Bay is strengthening its defences to keep communities safer in the years ahead. 

A big deal for a big problem

When Cyclone Gabrielle swept through Hawke’s Bay, it breached stopbanks, cut off roads, and destroyed hundreds of homes. The region’s flood protection network – 248 kilometres of stopbanks, pumps, and channels – took a battering. Some sections were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of water.

Now, Central Government and local councils have signed off on a significant funding package: $200 million from the Crown and $42 million from HBRC – an investment of almost a quarter of a billion dollars in rebuilding and reinforcing Hawke’s Bay’s flood defences.

It’s the biggest single investment in flood protection in the region’s history – and HBRC will be careful stewards of the money. “The funds have a very specific purpose,” says HBRC Deputy Chair Will Foley. They will help us to build back safer, however there will still be challenges and shortfalls to address as we move forward.

“We’ll continue to talk with affected communities directly, engaging with the public and collaborating with Hawke’s Bay’s four other councils to determine the best approach.”

And it’s not just about rebuilding – it’s about doing things differently. Reviewing what failed, understanding what needs to change, and designing a system that withstands the next big storm, not just the last one.

What’s the NIWE programme?

The North Island Weather Events (NIWE) programme was set up by Central Government to help the regions hit hardest by Gabrielle and earlier storms. It’s not just a cleanup fund – it’s about fixing the vulnerabilities that put homes, roads, and lives at risk in the first place.

For Hawke’s Bay, NIWE funding is being used in three ways:

• Category 3 buyouts – Government funding helps councils purchase high-risk properties where flood protection simply isn’t feasible. Some places just aren’t safe to live in anymore.
• Category 2 flood infrastructure upgrades – In areas that can be defended, the money goes towards stronger stopbanks, smarter drainage, and flood mitigation projects to reduce risk.
• Critical infrastructure repairs – Including roads, bridges, and transport links that are vital in an emergency. When the next extreme weather event comes, people and supplies need to move.

‘The Big Six’: HBRC’s major flood resilience projects

Not all parts of Hawke’s Bay are equally at risk. Six priority areas were  identified by Central Government, each receiving a major investment in flood mitigation. Together, they form the backbone of the region’s upgraded defences.

1. Ōhiti Road | Omāhu

New flood barriers, raised roads, and better stormwater systems designed to help protect farmland and rural communities, keep roads open and floodwaters contained.

2. Pākōwhai

A redesign of the current flood mitigation stopbank system to improve how the river handles heavy rain events, reducing the chance of overflows into nearby residential and commercial areas.

3. Pōrangahau

A mix of traditional flood mitigation and natural solutions – including stopbanks and the restoration of wetlands to act as flood buffers. Wetlands slow down floodwaters and absorb excess water, reducing pressure on engineered defences.

4. Waiohiki

A new stopbank along the Tūtaekurī River, running from Redclyffe Bridge to Napier Golf Course, to help protect homes, businesses, and the historic Waiohiki Marae. 

5. Wairoa

The single biggest project in the funding package and 100% Central Government funded, this project will redesign and strengthen Wairoa’s entire flood mitigation network. 

6. Whirinaki

The Whirinaki area includes the local community, along with one of Hawke’s Bay’s most significant industrial hubs that includes Pac Pac, Trustpower and Contact Energy. The proposed upgrades include stopbank reinforcements and drainage improvements.

So what’s next?

With funding locked in, the next step is turning plans into action. HBRC will continue to work closely with affected communities, gathering feedback and refining designs to ensure the solutions meet the needs of those on the ground.

It’s about more than just rebuilding – it’s about giving people certainty. HBRC Group Manager – Asset Management, Chris Dolley says that while a full-scale review of the region’s flood schemes is underway, work to support Category 2Careas has already begun.

“Our focus is to get as many homes as we can to Category 1 as soon as possible," he says, "so people can get on with their lives – so insurance, finance, and the practicalities of rebuilding aren’t stuck in limbo.”

Dolley says HBRC will be working alongside communities every step of the way, listening to those impacted and ensuring the next stage of flood protection is built with local knowledge at its core.

Flood protection is never finished

Flood mitigation  is never finished – but Hawke’s Bay is building back stronger. The Ngaruroro and Tūtaekurī stopbank repairs are part of HBRC’s wider flood resilience strategy – a long-term effort to strengthen and future-proof the region’s flood defences. 

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