Climate Resilience Programme: Erosion and flood protection works

The central government provided $10.8 million from its Covid-19 recovery infrastructure fund, and we have put in around $6.0 million for the overall programme. Hutt City Council is contributing $80,000 and Masterton District Council is funding around $300,000 for the erosion control works along the Ruamāhanga River, which will also help prevent the now-closed Nursery Road landfill from eroding into the river.  

We are working with the central government’s Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit, iwi partners and communities in the region to deliver the Climate Resilience Programme. Working together with the partners and sharing the wide-ranging benefits, the programme will build resilient river communities in the region.   

Flooding is one the biggest natural hazards in New Zealand. With the frequency of climate change induced weather events expected to increase over the next 50-100 years, our towns and cities are more at risk to the damage increased heavy rainfall events can bring. These climate resilience projects will help ensure our river communities can manage the risks.  

This programme has a social procurement component that includes providing professional development to help support Māori businesses to develop their skills and capability. The programme has been designed to support the environmental, economic, social and overall well-being of our communities. The procurement plan includes buying plants from correctional facilities.