Waiohiki stopbank complete in major flood resilience milestone

Published: 26 May 2026

A new one-kilometre stopbank at Waiohiki is now complete, giving the community significantly improved flood protection and marking a major milestone in Hawke’s Bay’s post-Cyclone Gabrielle recovery.

The new stopbank runs along the Tūtaekurī River from Napier Golf Course to Redclyffe Bridge and has been engineered to a 1% Annual Exceedance Probability (1% AEP) standard, commonly described as a one-in-100-year design standard.

The Waiohiki stopbank is part of Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s wider post-Cyclone Gabrielle flood resilience programme, designed to reduce flood risk for communities from Wairoa to Pōrangahau.

The project has seen 45 Waiohiki properties, previously classed as Category 2C after Cyclone Gabrielle, move to Category 1 under the Government’s land categorisation framework. 

On Friday, 22 May, a karakia was held at Waiohiki Marae to celebrate the completion of the stopbank and acknowledge the landowners, mana whenua, project team, contractors, and partners involved in the work.

The event included commemorative tree planting by Minister for Local Government, Hon Simon Watts, Regional Council Chair Sophie Siers, Ngai Tahu Ahi representative and Waiohiki Part 1E Ahu Whenua Trust Chair Alby Grey, and Waiohiki Marae Chair Hinewai Ormsby.

Ngāti Pārau Chair Darren Tareha says the completion of the stopbank is a significant moment for Waiohiki.

“This kaupapa is grounded in care for our people, our whenua, and our future here in Waiohiki,” says Tareha.

“In the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, our community experienced firsthand the impacts of severe flooding and the vulnerability of our whenua and homes. That event reinforced the urgent need to strengthen protection for our whānau and to build resilience against future extreme weather events.” - Ngāti Pārau Chair Darren Tareha

Strengthening Waiohiki’s future

Regional Council Chair Sophie Siers says the completion marks a major step forward for Waiohiki and the wider Heretaunga community.

“What Cyclone Gabrielle took from people was more than land or homes - it was their sense of safety. This stopbank is about restoring that and giving people greater confidence in the future. It strengthens protection right along the Tūtaekurī, covering the area from Waiohiki through to Pākōwhai, bringing enhanced flood resilience to both sides of the river. That’s about building a stronger, more resilient system for the long term.”

Waiohiki Marae Chair and Hawke’s Bay Regional Councillor for Ahuriri/Napier Hinewai Ormsby says that for Waiohiki, this is more than a stopbank:

“It’s a line of protection for our homes, our marae, our businesses, our whānau, and our future. Cyclone Gabrielle’s flooding tore through 92 homes and many local businesses here, but it did not break this community. It strengthened our resolve to recover well, to stand together, and to build greater resilience for the future.

“This milestone matters deeply to Waiohiki and to everyone who has lived with the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle. We are still on the recovery journey, but the completion gives our community greater confidence that Waiohiki will be better protected for generations to come.” - Waiohiki Marae Chair and Regional Councillor Hinewai Ormsby

Tareha says the completed stopbank stands as more than an infrastructure project for the community.

“This stopbank now stands as a symbol of protection, recovery, and hope. It reflects a collective commitment to reduce risk, strengthen safety, and provide greater peace of mind for our community.”

Tareha also acknowledged the people who stood behind the project as it progressed.

“We acknowledge the patience, understanding, and mana shown by our whānau throughout this mahi. Your support during construction has been essential to reaching this milestone. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa - thank you to our whānau, our community, and all who contributed to this important kaupapa,” says Tareha.

In addition to the stopbank, the project included reinstating part of the Puketapu Loop cycle trail, which will reopen later this year, and diverting the Upokohīna Stream onto land formerly used as Napier Golf Course’s pitch-and-putt area.

With heavy machinery now moving off site, teams will complete final restoration works before the stopbank is fully integrated into Regional Council’s flood scheme maintenance and operations programme.

Coming in under budget

The project has also come in well under its $10 million budget, with total costs of less than $9 million.

Funding came from a combination of Central Government’s Cyclone Recovery Fund, managed by National Infrastructure Funding and Financing (NIFF), and Regional Council investment through rates.

Chair Sophie Siers says delivering the project under budget reflects the responsibility that comes with public investment.

“When we talk about government funding, it can sometimes feel abstract, but it’s important to remember that it comes from real people - from households and businesses across New Zealand" - Chair Siers

“For us, that comes with a very real sense of responsibility to make sure this investment is used carefully, and that it delivers lasting benefit for our communities. Because ultimately, this work is about restoring confidence, strengthening protection, and making sure people feel safe in the places they call home again.

“This is foundational work for our region, for our safety, for our wellbeing and our economy. Waiohiki is an important step forward.”

Tareha says the project also reflects the value of partnership in recovery.

“We extend our sincere thanks to Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and the New Zealand Government for their investment, leadership, and commitment to protecting our community and supporting recovery following Cyclone Gabrielle.”

Part of a region-wide investment

“This project is part of a much bigger piece of work across Hawke’s Bay,” says Chair Siers. “Managing these systems properly takes a long-term commitment, and it relies on central and regional government working together in a way that supports consistent investment over time.”

“The Waiohiki milestone reflects what can be achieved when central government, local government, mana whenua, landowners, local businesses, and the community work together,” adds Ormsby.

Tareha says that shared commitment has been central to what Waiohiki has achieved.

“This kaupapa demonstrates what can be achieved when communities and agencies stand together — learning from adversity, strengthening resilience, and safeguarding future generations.”

The wider programme is valued at $256.5 million and is jointly funded by Central Government through the National Infrastructure Funding and Financing agency (NIFF), and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council through rates.

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