Kerikeri-Waipapa River Working Group

28 August 2025

Kerikeri-Waipapa River Working Group Record of Actions

Meeting held in the St John Ambulance Hall

357 Kerikeri Road, Kerikeri

on Thursday 28 August 2025, commencing at 10:00 am - 11:30am

Tuhinga/Present:

Chairperson - NRC Councillor, Joe Carr

BayCare, John Dawn

Upper Kerikeri Catchment, Hamish Sheard

Lower Puketotara and Kerikeri Catchment, Fred Terry

Upper Puketotara/Waiwhakarongaro Catchment, Murray Wright

Kerikeri Irrigation Company Respresentative, Tony Corcoran

Ngati Rehia Representative, Kipa Munroe

I Tae Mai/In Attendance:

Full Meeting

NRC CE, Jono Gibbard

NRC GM Community Resilience, Louisa Gritt

NRC Rivers Manager, Joseph Camuso

NRC Rivers Project Manager, Meg Tyler

NRC Secretariat, Haylee Labelle

NRC Policy & Planning Manager, Tami Wood

Inge Bremer, Treasurer Vision Kerikeri

Rolf Mueller-Glodde, Acting chair Vision Kerikeri

Denis Barker, Kiwifruit Manager KeriFresh

Jane Wright, Candidate for Bay of Islands-Whangaroa General Constituency

Jaye Michalick, FNDC Team Leader – Growth Planning & Placemaking

Bill Edwards, Heritage New Zealand

Part Meeting

NRC Regional Climate Adaptation Programme Lead, Rakesh Pinao

NRC Councillor, Marty Robinson (left 12.42pm)

The meeting commenced at 10.02am with karakia by Kipa Munroe

Ngā Mahi Whakapai/Housekeeping (Item 1.0)

Ngā Whakapahā/Apologies (Item 2.0)

Moved (Robinson / Carr)

FNDC Councillor Stratford, FNDC Councillor Court, FNDC Mayor Te pania, Belinda Ward, NZTA Steve Matene, FNDC Tanya Proctor, FNDC Roger Ackers, NRC Councillor Shortland, NRC Councillor Stolwerk, NRC Councillor Craw, FNDC Councillor McNally

Carried

Record of Actions – 27 March 2025 (Item 3.1)

Presented by: Cr Carr

Moved (Carr / Robinson)

Secretarial notes: A minute of silence was held to honour the late matua Hugh Rihari. The chair opened the meeting with a session asking each attendee to discuss flood risk, effects, heritage concerns from their perspective and the challenges of implementing effective mitigation so these can be considered for the next incoming working group

· Highlighted the need to protect important heritage buildings/assets from flood risk, considering options such as relocating structures or enhancing their resilience.

· Emphasised the importance of planning future urban and business land away from flood-prone areas and safeguarding existing urban zones already at risk.

· Discussed how increased runoff from land development leads to sedimentation and degradation of the Bay of Islands marine environment, stressing the need for flood protection measures that also address sediment control.

· Concerns were raised about the lack of implementation of past recommendations, the ongoing approval of subdivisions in floodplains, and the need for stronger accountability for elected members regarding flood management outcomes.

Agreed action points:

· FNDC to confirm if Cr Court is the appointed working group representative (understood this was Cr McNally)

Receipt of Action Sheet (Item 3.2)

Presented by: Cr Carr

Moved (Terry / Carr)

Agreed action points:

· No further actions

Kerikeri Flood Model Update (Item 3.3)

Presented by: Cr Carr

Secretarial notes: Explained that the flood liaison groups are established in high-risk catchments and serve as a critical part of the governance structure for engaging with communities about flood risk and mitigation options. The group conducts technical work, benefits from member input, and makes recommendations to Council, which then consults the wider community about proposed flood mitigation measures and associated costs.

Described the current 70/30 funding split for flood infrastructure, where 70% is funded regionally by ratepayers Northland wide through the Flood Infrastructure Rate and 30% by the local community rate payers, noting that this split is reviewed every three years during the long-term plan process.

A presentation was delivered by Bill Edwards on the study area Kororipo Basin from the flood event in 1823, he tracked down historical records, maps, and diaries to reconstruct the extent and impact of the 1823 flood, providing context for current flood risk.

Site analysis, including examination of debris lines and geological features, were used to estimate flood heights and velocities, supporting the calibration of flood models.

Information which was gleaned from John Butler’s Diary was that the flood was in the afternoon, the tide was at mid-day.  Note John Butler was residing in ‘Kemp House’, which he built. Noted that the estimated tide at the time was high at 1200 noon and was on its way out when the flood occurred later in the afternoon. Discussed assigning a return period value to the 1823 flood, which may influence the interpretation of the 1981 flood’s rarity and inform future planning.

Agreed action points:

· Presentation given by Bill Edwards, Heritage New Zealand “Flood Event -  Kerikeri River, 25 July 1823” will be circulated with the meeting minutes

· Historic Flood Return Period Analysis: NRC Rivers Manager to determine and report to the Chair on the return period (ARI value) for the 1823 flood event using available historical and physical evidence

Scenario options to run using new model (Item 3.4)

Presented by: Cr Carr

Moved (Dawn / Wright)

Secretarial notes: The working party reached a consensus on which scenarios to prioritise for modelling, discussed funding responsibilities, and clarified the process for integrating results into the district plan hearings. NRC has not yet received the flood maps, these firstly require a review to undertake QA and then ground truthing . It was recommended to bring the maps to the next Rivers Working group meeting. Confirmed that new LIDAR data has been captured and integrated into the flood model. The modelling will include various storm events, such as 100-year and 200-year return intervals, and will account for increased rainfall intensities based on the latest climate data

· Existing condition is delivered

· Existing to be compared with 2016 model

Agreed action points:

· It was agreed that the first scenario run will include future FNDC zoning (FNDC has indicated that they will provide funding of $5000 for this model run) and exclude K3A dam. Impervious surfaces under proposed zoning to be taken into account.

· It was agreed that the second scenario run will include K3A Dam – future zoning and existing (this will be two separate runs)

· Kerifresh model scenario (K3A dam and spillway under max zoning)with funds for this to be provided by Kerifresh who will work with NRC staff to transfer relevant info

· It was noted to capture riparian planting and wetlands if possible

· When quotes come in from WaterTech these are to be emailed to FNDC and Kerifresh for confirmation.

· Point D – “what are the likely costs benefit of affordability options to protect the areas from flooding” to be added to the next Rivers Working Group meeting agenda

Discussion - Submission process to FNDC Proposed District Plan (Item 3.5)

Presented by: Cr Carr

Moved (Carr / Munroe)

Secretarial notes: Outlined the process for submitting the group’s findings and modelling results to the FNDC district plan hearings, ensuring that the latest technical evidence is available for decision-making. The latest modelling results would be submitted as evidence for the district plan hearings, ensuring that decision-makers have up-to-date flood risk information.

• Confirmed that hearings on the Waipapa area zoning are scheduled for early October, and that the latest flood modelling will be submitted as evidence.
• FNDC and the hearing panel have agreed to accept the new modelling results, which will inform their deliberations on proposed zoning and flood risk mitigation.
• 22 September 2025 is the deadline to provide any evidence to FNDC, so this will need to be lodged prior to this
• We will need future zoning data/detail from FNDC for model run & K3A dam details for model run
• Agreed the priority order of two modelling options to inform the submission process on the proposed district plan
1. Priority 1 – Scenario to include future FNDC zoning (funded by FNDC)
2. Priority 2 – scenario to include K3A dam with future FNDC zoning.

Agreed action points:

· NRC Rivers manager to contact the provider of the two flood models to understand the delivery timeframe in conjunction with the submission process

Any other business (Item 3.6)

Presented by: Cr Carr

Secretarial notes: It was noted that the working group has not yet received feedback from PK as per the minutes.

Agreed action points:

· Tony requested that NRC staff review and correct the record regarding his representation on the committee, clarifying that he represents the Kerikeri Irrigation Company rather than the Business Association.

· Draft minutes will be circulated via email by NRC Secretariat for review and confirmation, with a focus on ensuring that agreed modelling options and actions are clearly captured.

· The working party will reconvene via MS Teams as soon as the flood modelling data is ready, rather than waiting for the next regular meeting, to maintain momentum and inform the district plan process.

· NRC Rivers manager to check level of protection on bunding at Waiototara as query if this is 50yrs

Whakamutunga (Conclusion)

The meeting concluded at 12.17pm with karakia from Kipa Munroe