Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the report release today.

“We welcome the review’s findings and recommendations to strengthen Wairoa's resilience against future events,” Ms Simmonds says.

The review found the flood event was caused by a combination of factors leading to the river backing up and overflowing, driving a mix of fresh and salt water into the low-lying areas of the town.

“The review highlighted shortcomings around planning and management of the river mouth and bar and recognised the need for greater engagement from the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council with the Wairoa District Council and community on emergency preparedness.  

“The report clearly states that now is the time to act decisively and with urgency.

“To mitigate against similar future events, the report recommends the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council partner with the Wairoa council and community to develop a Wairoa River Bar Operational Plan.

Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says the review’s recommendations will help Crown Manager to the Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils, Lawrence Yule, to direct the councils in the planning and delivery of flood protection works.

“This plan will detail monitoring actions, identify trigger thresholds for action to mitigate and manage risk, as well as outlining communication protocols,” Mr Brown says.

Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell notes the review also recommends taking a more proactive and precautionary approach to potential emergencies.

“The people of Wairoa need to be assured that the strongest of measures, and systems are in place to deal with future weather events. I support the recommendations in the review and expect responsible parties to deliver on them with urgency.

“This includes developing stronger and more responsive partnerships and communication to ensure Wairoa’s civic leaders have real time information so they can inform and protect their community,” Mr Mitchell says.

The review includes recommendations for central government to consider.

This Government has recently announced that it will review the natural hazards national direction. This will provide direction to councils on how to identify natural hazards, assess the risk they pose, both now and in the future, and how to respond to that risk through planning controls such as directing development away from high natural hazard risk areas, or providing appropriate mitigation of that risk.

It will include requirements to identify and map natural hazards in regions and districts. This will improve council data on natural hazards, improve transparency, and allow people to know where hazards are.

Penny Simmonds thanked everyone who took part in the review.

“I want to thank the Wairoa community, the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Wairoa District Council, Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa Trust, and Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group for sharing their stories and knowledge, and for taking the time to contribute to this review.

“I also want to thank Mike Bush for leading the independent review and providing this report.”