Pākōwhai

Pākōwhai sits between two major rivers and during Cyclone Gabrielle, was heavily damaged. This project adds a second line of defence for the community in case the existing stopbanks along the Ngaruroro and Tūtaekurī Rivers are overwhelmed. Alongside upgrades to the existing network, two major additions are planned:

• A 5.5km network of stopbank and flood wall along the true left bank of the Tūtaekurī-Waimate Stream, east of SH2 – largely following the alignment of the original stopbanks
• A 3km network of stopbank and flood wall stopbank from Links Road to SH2, also running alongside the Tūtaekurī-Waimate
• Realignment of approximately 500m of the Tūtaekurī-Waimate Stream, behind Pākōwhai War Memorial Hall.

Together, these works lift the overall standard of protection across Pākōwhai. They won’t remove the risk of extreme flooding – no system can – but they will buy critical time in a severe event, help people get out safely and reduce the risk to homes, livelihoods, and lives.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2026, following consents, land agreements, surveying, and other preparatory work. The build will be staged over two summers:

• 2025/26 will focus on enabling works and straightforward stopbank sites.
• 2026/27 will tackle the more complex areas that require tailored engineering solutions.

Enabling works – such as temporary access roads, fencing, vegetation removal, and stockpile areas – are scheduled to begin in the 2025/26 summer construction window.