Heretaunga Water Storage project to move into new delivery entity

Published: 26 June 2025

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is continuing the process of transitioning the Heretaunga Water Storage project into a new governance entity representing major community water users on the Heretaunga Plains.

The Regional Council is undertaking a full feasibility assessment for a 27 million cubic metre water storage reservoir at Whanawhana as part of its commitment to regional water security.

The project would store peak winter flows for release into Heretaunga’s waterways and aquifer during periods of peak summer water demand.

Regional Council Chair Hinewai Ormsby says the council received an update on work to establish a new governance entity for the project, which is likely to be confirmed in July.

“This devolution of the project was always Regional Council’s commitment, and we have been clear and consistent on this point: HBRC is not a reservoir developer, but it can enable and facilitate water security solutions. The project has a very good chance of moving through into consenting and construction if it is driven by the ultimate users of the water and the beneficiaries of greater water security,” she says.

Regional Council, along with Kanoa, has jointly funded the full feasibility assessment, and Regional Council’s costs are budgeted for in its long-term plan.

“Feasibility of the Heretaunga Water Storage Project is progressing very well off the back of a robust pre-feasibility assessment. Engagement with major water users has been positive and there is clear appetite for water users to now drive this project forward.”

Chair Ormsby says the new governance and delivery entity will now be rapidly established, likely involving representatives of major irrigators and industrial water users; municipal water users (Hastings and Napier councils), and mana whenua from the Heretaunga Plains.

“The Heretaunga Plains are some of the world’s great growing soils and the engine of Hawke’s Bay’s economy – and they are increasingly dependent on water security. As our climate changes, water security becomes both more precious for our social, environmental and economic wellbeing, and challenging to deliver. There is a growing gap between our demand for water and nature’s ability to reliably provide it.

“Water storage is now a critical part of water security for Heretaunga. We have identified a site for an environmentally responsible water storage facility to protect the environment, economy and people’s livelihoods on the Heretaunga Plains.

“The project is at the right size for the Heretaunga’s water security needs and is based within the natural catchment that supplies the Heretaunga Plains and its aquifer. The time is now right for community representatives with clear interests in water security to take over this project and see it through to completion.”

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