Funding enables Horizons study into options for resilience against flood events

Horizons Regional Council is exploring future options for river management in Manawatū, thanks to $300,000 of funding received from the Ministry for the Environment.

Horizons councillor and project governance group co-chair Te Kenehi Teira says the project, set to be completed in mid-2025, is about finding ways to increase resilience during, and reduce damage from, future weather events in the Ōroua and Pohangina catchments, as well as the Manawatū River from Te Āpiti Manawatū Gorge to the confluence with the Ōroua River.
 
“The Horizons Region has faced increased flood activity in recent years, with the Ōroua and Pohangina rivers undergoing substantial change as a result. Recent flood events have caused significant damage to private property and flood protection assets throughout those catchments,” says Cr Teira.
 
“This has cultural, social and economic impacts to the people living in these catchments. This project is an opportunity for Horizons to ensure future flood mitigations and action plans are as effective at mitigating those impacts as possible.”
 
Horizons councillor and project governance group co-chair Alan Taylor says the project will involve a study looking at whether current management practices are still relevant, and to explore the idea of mobility corridors for the rivers.
 
“Mobility corridors are areas required to allow normal dynamic river channel change. This aims to preserve the connection between a river and the immediate floodplain. These corridors can strike a balance between allowing rivers to move freely and the cultural, social and economic benefits of protecting property, infrastructure and land-based environments,” says Cr Taylor.
 
“We will also model specific climate change scenarios, and look at the financial implications of following through with any findings.”
 
The study’s findings will be used to support Horizons’ resilience planning in the future, ensuring any potential changes in river management practices are based on the best available information, says Cr Taylor.
 
“A governance group has been established, featuring representatives from Horizons, iwi, hapū, industry and environmental groups, catchment care groups, and more. There will also be a wider community engagement programme to ensure people living in the catchments are involved in and kept informed about the project.”
 
For more information about the project, see here.

Image: The Pohangina River shortly after Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023.