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What is the technical issue affecting the design process for the Wairoa flood resilience project that was identified in the March 2026 quarterly recovery progress update on the 2023 North Island Weather Events?

Answered Question 33180 (2026)
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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • What is the technical issue affecting the design process for the Wairoa flood resilience project that was identified in the March 2026 quarterly recovery progress update on the 2023 North Island Weather Events?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government

Answer

The issue related to an elevated risk of river avulsion identified in initial flood modelling, occurring when the spillway is activated in a 1-in-100-year design flood event or in events exceeding this. This issue has been resolved as per earlier responses (refer to questions 33176 and 33177).