Kerikeri-Waipapa River Working Group

27 March 2025

Kerikeri-Waipapa River Working Group Record of Actions

Meeting held in the NRC Waipapa

12 Klinac Lane

on Thursday 27 March 2025, commencing at 10:00am - 11:30am

Tuhinga/Present:

Chairperson, Councillor Joe Carr

FNDC Councillor, Steve McNally

BayCare, John Dawn

Iwi representative, Hugh Rihari

Lower Puketotara and Kerikeri Catchment, Fred Terry

Upper Puketotara/Waiwhakarongaro Catchment, Murray Wright

I Tae Mai/In Attendance:

Full Meeting

NRC Rivers Manager, Joseph Camuso

NRC Rivers Project Manager, Meg Tyler

NRC Secretariat, Haylee Labelle

NRC Councillor, Marty Robinson

NRC Regional Climate Adaptation Programme Lead, Rakesh Pinao (online)

FNDC Group Manager - Planning and Policy, Roger Ackers

Dennis Corbett

Part Meeting

NRC GM Community Resilience, Louisa Gritt (online)

The meeting commenced at 10am with karakia by Hugh Rihari.

Ngā Mahi Whakapai/Housekeeping (Item 1.0)

Ngā Whakapahā/Apologies (Item 2.0)

Hamish Sheard, Tony Corcoran, Bronwyn Bauer-Hunt – DOC , Cr Craw, Jacqui Hori-Hoult - NZTA, Kobus Du Toit, Cr Stolwerk, Cr Shortland, Sarah Gauden-Ing, Belinda Ward – FNDC, Steve Matene - NZTA

Record of Actions – 19 September 2024 (Item 3.1)

Presented by: Joe Carr

Agreed action points:

· NIL

Secretarial notes: It was mentioned that NZTA Rep Kobus Du Toit has relocated and will not be attending future meetings.

Receipt of Action Sheet (Item 3.2)

Presented by: Joe Carr

Agreed action points:

· Forward to working group members the information provided to Fred Terry after agenda compiled (action 5 19/9/24) on the discharge of Puketotara/Kerikeri into the basin area (Stone Store) total effect of an in excess 100yr event – NRC Secretariat

Secretarial notes: Action 5 – 19/9/24 now marked as completed

Kerikeri Flood Model Update (Item 3.3)

Presented by: Joe Camuso

Agreed action points:

· NRC Rivers Manager to check in with NRC Rivers & Natural Hazards Officer (Matt) to ensure the tidal cycle is incorporated into the flood models

· NRC will take direction from the working party on what options to run in the flood model

Secretarial notes: Sher Kahn, Hydraulic Modeler and Engineer is doing a peer review and working through this now. LiDAR has been contracted for the entire catchment and as soon as we receive the new LiDAR this will be incorporated into the model, and we will run the design events. After design runs, we will do QA on the outputs and once we have confidence in the model, we can run options with the model e.g. K3A and other options. Noted that the design re-run took into account 20% increase in impervious surfaces for future build-out and development of the catchment.  

 The committee reviewed historical flood data from the NRC on-line flood maps, including the 1981 flood levels. Discussed the importance of understanding past flood events to inform future flood mitigation efforts. Discussed the importance of accurate flood modelling and data collection. The committee emphasized the need for collaboration and coordination between the NRC and FNDC to address flood mitigation and infrastructure planning. 

Discussed the importance of a coordinated approach to attract funding and support for proposed projects. The committee discussed the impact of future development on flood mitigation efforts. They emphasized the need to model potential future development and to include flood mitigation measures in the planning process.

Peer Review of Blueprint One - Detention Dam Proposal (Item 3.4)

Presented by: Joe Carr

Agreed action points:

· Send a copy of Toby's peer review of Blueprint One to PK and request his response on any points – NRC Rivers Manager

· NRC Rivers Manager to ask Toby Kay where we currently lack data to enable the hydrology team to go out and visit the areas identified

Secretarial notes: The working group reviewed Toby's peer review recommendations, focusing on the need for additional gauging sites and improved data collection. They agreed to support these recommendations and to seek funding for the necessary equipment. Highlighted the need for additional rain and river gauges in the catchment area to improve the accuracy of flood predictions.

NRC Rivers manager advises that 8B and 8C from the review are items that NRC can look further into actioning and a request can be made via the LTP for additional hydro gauges. The working party support recommendations 8B and 8C. 

The working group has decided to move on from the proposal provided by PK. If modelling supports K3A they have expressed desire to move forwards with that. It was asked if PK was given the opportunity to respond to Toby Kays review and an action taken to follow this up.

Lower Catchment Detention at Rainbow Falls (Item 3.5)

Presented by: Joe Camuso

Agreed action points:

· Circulate electronically the document produced by Toby Kay  “Preliminary Feasibility Study – Kerikeri River Diversion Spillway – Flood Detention Dam” NRC secretariat

· Consult with Toby to identify where additional data is needed for new gauge locations and coordinate with the hydro team to assess feasibility – NRC Rivers Manager

Kerikeri – Waipapa River Working Group Integration with FNDC Kerikeri – Waipapa Spatial Plan (Item 3.6)

Presented by: Fred Terry

Agreed action points:

· That a recommendation is made to NRC and FNDC that both councils look closely at the Kerikeri spatial plan and identify the need for flood mitigation options for Kerikeri-Waipapa river catchments specifically noting the requirement for flood detention/storage dams (K3A) in conjunction with overland flow path diversion options to protect all current and future assets and sites of significance

· Cr McNally to raise the spatial plan at the upcoming FNDC Infrastructure meeting

Secretarial notes: The committee discussed making a submission and the K3 dam and diversion proposal as a potential solution for flood mitigation. They emphasized the need to include this proposal in the Kerikeri-Waipapa Spatial Plan and to consider future development in the area.

NRC (Policy and Planning team) will be reviewing the Te Pātukurea - Kerikeri Waipapa Spatial Plan and looking at whether it provides feedback. If there are matters the working group would like NRC to consider around flood hazards in any feedback we may make, they are welcome to pass those comments to staff. It should however be noted NRC would only make comments on matters assessed as inconsistent with regional policy in the RPS and plans.  

There was a consensus view of the working group that a submission should be made to the FNDC spatial plan. It was advised that although the working group doesn’t have the ability to submit on its own (The working group cannot make a submission as a working group of the Council (i.e. outside scope of their TOR and Council delegations for making submissions), that members were encouraged to submit themselves as individuals via Fred Terry. The point made was that it is critical to question in the submission why the Spatial plan does not factor in the detention dams and over land flow paths to deal with known flood problems/issues. Cr Carr/Robinson have the opportunity to highlight any points when the submission goes to NRC council. A copy of the working group minutes containing the recommendation can be attached to the submission.

The committee sought clarification on the use of the word “untenable” in relation to the Waingaro irrigation dam and it was stated there is insufficient/not enough water. Reviewed the conclusion provided in the report and reworded a recommendation as a result which has become an action and had a full consensus. It was noted that submissions for the spatial plan close on 22/4/25  

Another other business (Item 3.7)

Presented by: Joe Carr

Agreed action points:

· Track down the thesis/book on the 1830s flood from the Kerikeri library for further analysis – NRC Rivers Manager

Secretarial notes: Fred Terry discussed a book at the Kerikeri library referring to a flood in 1832 which contained a thesis by a student, a history of flooding.

NRC Rivers manager displayed flood mapping with layers that capture the 1958, 1981, 1999, 2007 flood levels, when viewing NRC maps this is a good one to use (Natural Hazards)

Whakamutunga (Conclusion)

The meeting concluded at 11.35am with karakia by Hugh Rihari.