Waiōhine River

The Waiōhine Project Team worked for over a year to develop the current river plan. The team consisted of members of the Waiōhine Action Group (WAG) – a group of passionate community members, officers from Greater Wellington Regional Council (GW) and a local hapū representative.

The River Plan includes both structural measures such as stop-banks, and non-structural measures which allows more space for the river to meander. The plan includes iwi perspectives and the community’s aspirations for the future of the river environment, as well as including flood mapping, climate change, and emergency management.

The Floodplain Management Plan went through consultation in June/July 2016 and received 107 submissions from individuals and groups. The majority of the submissions opposed the draft Floodplain Management Plan on one or more grounds. Following consultation with Carterton District Council and South Wairarapa District Council, GW revoked the draft Floodplain Management Plan.

GW adopted a model of engagement that allowed the community to develop a plan that not only enjoys the support of the community, but is also pragmatic, sustainable and affordable. Waiōhine Action Group, which volunteered to lead the engagement process under the new model with GW, had members of the local community with an interest in the River Plan and experience in operational work in the Waiōhine River including capability in engineering, hydrology, surveying and business/project management and knowledge of local government process.

The Project Team recommended a river plan which includes a preferred option that has new stop banks close to Greytown and set well back from the river. The River Plan is envisaged to be a ‘Living Plan’ that can respond to changes, new information or major events in the future. It aims to give the river more room to spread, reduce the impact on the Carterton side of the river and save money compared to the previous draft Flood Management Plan.

The River Plan was adopted by GW on 7 April 2022 and is now moving onto the implementation phase. GW has employed a Project Manager to start implementing the River Plan with final design programmed to be completed by the end of 2023 and contractor procurement to begin at the start of 2024.

GW is currently seeking community members to be part of the Waiōhine River Plan Advisory Committee (WRPAC). You can apply online, see the above information on this page.

Submissions for the WRPAC close on 15 June 2023. We have already received more nominations than spots available, an evaluation process will take place and a subsequent Advisory Committee will be selected and approved by Councillors in August 2023.

Read more about the Waiōhine River FMP.