History of the Otaki River

The landscape of the Otaki River has changed dramatically during the last 100 years - mostly due to human influence. This began with the extensive clearance of lowland native forest on the surrounding hills and coastal plain between 1886 and the 1930s. As a direct consequence of this, the river began to erode its unprotected banks and with severe storms in 1936 and 1955, further loss of forest occurred. The river reverted back to its pre-forestation braided river channel form. The effects of urban civilisation and later river management practices also altered the river's natural character in attempts to control flooding.

Natural floods combined with how people use the floodplain, has created a flood hazard. Early settlement of the area was generally in areas only marginally affected by floods, and the flood hazard was fairly nonexistent. For example, when the river shifted course Maori tended to move from settlements affected by flooding. Early European settlers used local knowledge to select sites that didn't flood.

Even with the protection put in place between 1945 and 1955, small to medium floods in the Otaki River continue to cause damage. This problem has been made worse by recent settlement in areas susceptible to flooding.