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The Whakatāne-Tauranga Rivers Scheme covers the Tauranga River with a 440km2 catchment and the Whakatāne River with a 1100km2 catchment.

It stretches from Whakatāne town, Tāneatua and Waimana, down to Ruatāhuna and the Huiarau Ranges, and includes the Te Rahu, Waioho and Wairere tributaries.

It is one of five major River Schemes that were established in the 1970s by Regional Council (then known as the Catchment Commission) to effectively manage and maintain the flood defences along the awa, to help protect the lives and livelihoods of the community.

Geoff Stone, Whakatāne-Tauranga Rivers Scheme Area Engineer, tells us more:

Whakatāne-Tauranga Rivers Scheme

This Scheme includes:

23 floodgates
two major floodgated structures
floodwalls
95km of stopbanks

Bay of Plenty Regional Council owns and manages an array of flood protection and drainage defences across the rohe (such as stopbanks, floodgates, floodwalls etc). 

As well as developing new or improved flood defences, our team undertake regular work to test, check, repair and maintain these defences.

We do this to make sure they are in good condition, so that when a flood event occurs, the flood defences will help manage the impacts to the community.

Latest rainfall and river levels

You can also access all rainfall and river level data through our Environmental Data Portal.

All ratepayers across the region contribute to river and drain management. However, if you live within a scheme, you pay an additional targeted rate for the services that you directly benefit from (such as flood protection and drainage).

Find out more information about the River Scheme, Pump & Drainage Scheme targeted rates.

What’s happening in the Scheme?

Safeguarding our Stopbanks

We’re currently doing some stopbank strengthening work along a section of the Whakatāne River Trail. This involves the removal of vegetation and structures which could impact the reliability of the stopbank.

Whakatāne Project Future Proof

We’re working at ways to protect the community from increased flood risk in the coming decades.

Scheme news and updates

30 days ago

Weekly update

Works on the Whakatāne-Tauranga River Scheme week 28 August to 1 September 2023.

2023-08-28 - Weekly update

Works on the Whakatāne-Tauranga River Scheme week 28 August to 1 September 2023.

River/Drain

Site name

Left/Right bank

Type of works

Person responsible

Tauranga & Whakatāne Rivers

Various

Both banks

Spray pampas on gravel beds

Geoff Stone

Waiwherowhero Stream

Various

Both banks

Deweed/desilt

Geoff Stone

Whakatāne River

Henderson Street

Right bank

Repair stopbank

Geoff Stone

Whakatāne River

Riverside Drive

Right bank

Drainage works stopbank and toe drain

Geoff Stone

Whakatāne River

Cleary Ave

Right bank

Repair stopbank

Geoff Stone

Whakatane River

Rewatu Road

Left bank

Desilt drain outlets

Geoff Stone

Whakatāne River

Paekoau stream

Both banks

Drainage works planting and willow maintenance

Geoff Stone

Whakatāne River

Waikirikiri

Both banks

Gravel management and rock repairs

Geoff Stone

Whakatāne River

Ngāti Rongo

Both banks

Gravel Management

Geoff Stone

Whakatāne River

Downards road drain / Waioho stream

Both  banks

Drainage works planting and willow maintenance

Geoff Stone
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3 months ago

Utility testing on Kakahoroa Drive; access limited

Contractors, on behalf of Regional Council, will be conducting investigative work along Kakahoroa Drive at the end of July for up to five days (weather permitting).

2023-07-24 - Utility testing on Kakahoroa Drive; access limited

Contractors, on behalf of Regional Council, will be conducting investigative work along Kakahoroa Drive at the end of July for up to five days (weather permitting).

This process involves digging holes along the side of the road to locate any underground utilities (such as power and gas). Once investigations have been done, the holes will be filled and the area restored.

This process will take up to a week. During this time, traffic management will be in place along Kakahoroa Drive and access may be limited. We recommend motorists use an alternative route (businesses will still have access).

This work is being done to help us prepare for construction of Stage One of Project Future Proof later this year. This is a multi-stage project to upgrade the stopbanks and floodwalls along the downtown stretches of Whakatāne.

Thank you for your patience during this time. If you have any questions, please contact engineering@boprc.govt.nz

whakatane
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Your River Scheme Advisory Group

Flood protection is an ongoing conversation with the community, to help balance the social, cultural, economic and environmental impacts that flood protection presents.

To help achieve this, we established River Advisory Groups, which are made up of local people from along the river with different interest and involvements in the future of the awa. These locals are here to represent your needs and wants for the awa, which helps advise our teams when it comes to flood projects, maintenance and management.

Find out more the Whakatāne - Tauranga Rivers Scheme Advisory Group.

river history infographic