Hawke's Bay Regional Council

Hawke's Bay Regional Council Enhancing our environment together 🌱
Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

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The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council page must not be used for electioneering purposes. Any post - positive or negative - made by any individual specifically relating to their own - or someone else's - nomination, intention to run for Council or election campaign, will be removed immediately. Find out more: http://www.hbrc.govt.nz.

11/06/2026

We sure know how to put on a sky show in the Bay 🔥

A quick appreciation post for some (of the many!) beautiful sunsets and sunrises that came through on our recent Facebook post.

Planning a trip on SH2?As part of our flood resilience programme, crews will be doing some work on State Highway 2 in Wh...
10/06/2026

Planning a trip on SH2?

As part of our flood resilience programme, crews will be doing some work on State Highway 2 in Whirinaki over the next couple of weeks.

Please plan for delays up to 10 minutes with shoulder closures and reduced speed limits. There may also be periods of stop/go traffic management during working hours – Monday to Saturday 7 am to 5 pm.

Thank you for your patience.

We’ll keep our project website and mailing list updated with any changes - https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/hawkes-bay/projects/restoring-flood-resilience/whirinaki/

Pull up your latest sunrise/sunset pic. It has a home here.All those gorgeous photos of the sky you take that never agai...
10/06/2026

Pull up your latest sunrise/sunset pic. It has a home here.

All those gorgeous photos of the sky you take that never again see the light of day? Well pop off and post them in the comments 👇 We’re keen to see the spectacular sunrises or sunsets you’ve managed to photograph around the Bay this season!

Our beautiful skies should be the only thing in the air that takes your breath away this winter. We want to celebrate the success of the work we’ve achieved as a region, not only to be able to enjoy the view of Hawke’s Bay’s skies, but to know we’re safely able to gasp as deep as we like when we’re struck by its beauty.

Over the last decade we’ve seen notable improvement in the air quality around Hawke’s Bay’s residential areas. That means less smog, and fewer of those pesky tiny particles that can make their way into our lungs and affect our health. Our scientists call these particles PM10 and PM2.5. The graph in the comments shows the decline in the number of days per year since 2006 in which our urban areas created too many of these particles (according to National Environmental Standards).

And it’s not just Hawke’s Bay! New data released by the Land, Air, Water Aotearoa project shows air quality has improved over the past decade at almost three-quarters of regional and unitary council monitoring sites with a consistent monitoring record. Visit the link in the comments for more information.

Let's keep up the good work, especially in winter, to keep our air clear and healthy:
🪵 Only burn paper or dry wood in your fireplace.
♨️ Think about converting to a heat pump system which will be good for your wallet and for your health and the health of the region.
🔥 Know the rules for other burning activity over winter.

You can find more info on what that means for you on our winter burning page: https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/environment/environmental-data/air-quality/outdoor-burning/

The results are in and it's good news! This year’s Napier Inner Harbour survey found no marine pests new to Hawke’s Bay ...
09/06/2026

The results are in and it's good news! This year’s Napier Inner Harbour survey found no marine pests new to Hawke’s Bay have been found.

Thank you to our contractors Dive Hard LTD who carried out the underwater inspections, including of all the vessels, marinas, slipways, moorings, piles and wharfs within the harbour.

📊 Why do we do the survey?
• Marine pests compete with and prey on native species, modify habitats, alter ecosystem processes and damage marine industries. Once here, they can be difficult and expensive to remove.
• Boat hulls are considered the main way marine pests spread, which is why it’s so important for boaties to have clean hulls when moving between areas.
• Two of the nasties we DON’T want here are the Mediterranean fanworm and clubbed tunicate (pictured), both fond of complete takeovers. Check out https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/environment/pest-control/marine-pests/ for photos (not a pretty sight) and further info.

🙋‍♀️ What can I do?
• We have a list of top tips for boaties on our marine pests page
• We can all do our bit, whether you prefer to stay shoreside or get among the waves. Familiarise yourself with the pests we’re trying to keep out.
• If you see unusual marine plants and animals, or unusual numbers of dead fish or aquatic life in a harbour, estuary or beach, take a photo or sample, record the location, and let us know asap by phoning 06 835 9200 or emailing [email protected]

Help us protect the marine environment so we can all enjoy it in years to come 🐟

New wave buoy deployed off Wairoa We deployed a new wave buoy about 2.6 km offshore from the Wairoa River mouth on 4 Jun...
08/06/2026

New wave buoy deployed off Wairoa

We deployed a new wave buoy about 2.6 km offshore from the Wairoa River mouth on 4 June so we can better understand what’s happening offshore.

The buoy measures wave statistics (height, direction, etc) and wind speed, then sends that information back to help us:
• Understand when conditions are more likely to cause the river mouth to close
• Improve our wave forecasts
• Support Harbourmaster work to help keep people safe on the water
• Learn more about how sea spray can affect local air quality

The deployment was marked with a karakia supported by Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa.

Our team also cleaned and checked the buoy near the Esk River mouth on the same day. The team will regularly inspect both buoys and carry out any maintenance needed every 3- 4 months.

🌍Happy World Environment Day! This year we’re celebrating the progress our region has made on air quality and encouragin...
05/06/2026

🌍Happy World Environment Day! This year we’re celebrating the progress our region has made on air quality and encouraging everyone to keep up the effort.
Many actions that reduce local air pollution – such as cleaner home heating, less fuel burning, and lower-emission transport – also help cut climate-changing emissions. That’s a win-win for people and the planet.
Air quality is often worse in winter because of smoke from home heating. But we can all play our part to keep our air clean.

🧦It’s possible to keep warm and have efficient, clean heating. Find out more: https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/environment/environmental-data/air-quality/heating-your-home/
🏠 If you burn wood, use only dry, untreated timber. Tip: To check if your woodburner is working as it should, go outside and take a look at your chimney – you should only see a heat shimmer, not smoke.
🔥Check before you burn. Is your property in a restricted airshed? What’s an airshed? Find out more: https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/environment/environmental-data/air-quality/outdoor-burning/

The improvements reflected in LAWA’s national data are the result of years of local action, backed by council rules, education, monitoring, and community effort.
See the results and explore air quality in our region on the LAWA website: www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/air-quality
The progress we’ve made in improving air quality makes a real difference to the health and wellbeing of our whole community. Thank you and let’s keep the momentum going through winter.

04/06/2026

Regional Transport Committee - 5 June 2026

Updated flood hazard modelling for the Esk River 🗺️Today, a clearer and more up-to-date picture of flood risk in the Esk...
03/06/2026

Updated flood hazard modelling for the Esk River 🗺️

Today, a clearer and more up-to-date picture of flood risk in the Esk Valley can be viewed on our website.

This mapping resource is available following our completion of updated flood hazard modelling for the Esk River, so we can better understand the likelihood and extent of flooding from the Esk River. The modelling shows significant parts of the valley remain at risk during major flood events, especially when future climate change is considered.

This information will be used by the city and district councils for land-use planning purposes, including in the processing of building and resource consents and updating of District Plans.

We have an extensive programme of flood hazard modelling underway across the region which will be made available to the public as each part is completed.

The image below demonstrates modelled potential flood depths from the Esk River using one of the hazard layers.

Explore the new maps, scenarios and reports ➡️ https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/services/flood-control/flood-hazard-modelling/

02/06/2026

Meeting of the HBRC Māori Committee - 3 June 2026

So what actually is land and water health? What does is it look like? And why should you care?⛰️ Healthy land = soil tha...
02/06/2026

So what actually is land and water health?
What does is it look like?
And why should you care?

⛰️ Healthy land = soil that stays where it should, supports vegetation and production of food and other resources.
💧 Healthy water = rivers, streams, and coastal areas that are not degraded by sediment, pollution, or habitat loss.

And what does that look like? 👀
1. Stable hills and farmland with fewer landslides, slips and erosion scars. Slopes with trees or deep-rooted plants, such as poplars and willows and fencing to keep stock off vulnerable land.

2. Cleaner waterways with less sediment (soil, sand and rock) making its way into rivers and stream banks planted with vegetation.

3. Restored wetlands holding water again and native forest remnants that are fenced and free of plant and animal pests.

4. Thriving marine life from less sediment reaching the coast and settling at the bottom of the ocean.

⚠️ The wellbeing and economic prosperity of our region depend on healthy land and water. This is critical work with long-term impacts that will shape outcomes for generations to come.

We're asking our region to be ready to join the conversation when the 2027 Long-Term Plan consultation opens and learn more via our Community Conversations hub ➡️ https://hbrc.info/S-LAWH

Address

159 Dalton Street
Napier
4110

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+6468359200

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