Our work

• We carry out topographical survey, LIDAR (light detection and ranging) data capture as well as working with communities and mana whenua to understand the context and background of any problem.
• We conduct detailed hydrological and hydraulic modelling to understand the risk. This process supports detailed optioneering, planning controls and design.
• We follow a risk assessment and analysis described in our Floodplain Management Planning process to identify options, critically assess and prioritise.
• We work with communities, key partners and mana whenua to develop solutions and select options. We select an approach that suits the community we are working with.

Find out about how we develop our flood hazard models on our technical guidance page:

Technical guidance

To request a flood hazard model please use the model date request form:

Model Data Request form (DOCX 89 KB)

Find out more about our Floodplain Management Plans and other flood risk management strategies:

Floodplain Management Plans and Strategies

• We provide flood hazard advice to developers, territorial authorities, Wellington Water and other partner organisations on appropriate development.
• We support the development of regional and district policy ensuring district plans, national policy and other strategies adequately provide for appropriate development

Looking to build or develop? Information on our advisory service can be found here:

Building or developing

Regional Policy Statement

Design & construction

• We plan, consent, and deliver engineered defences such as stopbanks and have project managers, and engineers in-house to deliver these.

Asset management

• We apply a comprehensive asset management system to maintain our engineered assets including inspection and investigation.

River management

• We maintain flood protection schemes and work with landowners to provide erosion protection.
• We use planting and are investigating ways to integrate more natives into riparian planting margins to manage erosion and run-off.
• We manage gravel to ensure capacity is maintained and erosion damage is reduced. We are working with industry to improve practices in channel works.

Find more information on river management and schemes:

Rivers & schemes

Riverlink

Flood Resilience Projects in partnership with MBIE

Flood Operations Delivery River Works Schedule

Schedule for 31 August – 6 September 2026

Please note: This list is a general description of the work planned during the next week. Please contact Flood Operations Delivery staff for further detail. Completion of this work is dependent on weather conditions and contractor availability.  All work listed may not be completed in the following week. 

Greater Wellington gathers intelligence which includes flood forecasting, evacuation planning and impact analysis. This data enables us to work closely with Regional Emergency Management (WREMO) and respond to flood incidents across our region.

Our Flood Incident Management operates 24/7, monitoring weather information, river levels, asset condition and other streams of intelligence which supports proactive and responsive emergency management.

We also have an improvements programme in place, which is working towards lifting our response capability, flood forecasting and warning protocols.

What to do before during and after a flood

Up to date river level information

Greater Wellington’s flood warning and response improvements programme