River Management Petition TDC 2025

21/04/2026

It’s important to have your say on how the future and rates are used to recovery from potential flooding - TDC have a link below for you to complete a survey.

This morning I meet with John Ellis from TDC River Management so hear about progress on Wai-iti river after last winters double flooding.

Let’s hope we head into winter with some security!

It's time for round two of our quick polls for our draft Annual Plan. This time, we're talking the weather event recovery rate.

Severe weather in June and July 2025 caused significant damage across parts of the District. We have been running an extensive response and recovery programme, which is still underway. The current estimated net recovery cost is approximately $14.6m, although this figure is not yet final.

Non-rates funding sources for the 2025 weather events recovery have now been exhausted and we must recover the share of the remaining costs through rates. We have shortlisted four targeted rate options, which we want to know which one you think we should proceed with.

Basically there are two ways to approach this – either we look at just repaying the 2025 weather events, or we look long-term at building a fund to cover future events too. Then from there, it's how we spread the costs amongst ratepayers. These are the four options:

1: Targeted District-wide Recovery Rate for five years to repay the costs of the 2025 weather events only, charged at a uniform amount ($125). This is our preferred option.

2: Targeted District-wide Recovery Rate for five years to repay the costs of the 2025 weather events only, charged by capital value.

3: Targeted District-wide Recovery and Emergency Event Financial Resilience Rate – ongoing to repay the costs of the weather events initially and then be used to build a fund to respond to future natural hazard events, charged at a uniform amount.

4: Targeted District-wide Recovery and Emergency Event Financial Resilience Rate – ongoing to repay the costs of the weather events initially and then be used to build a fund to respond to future natural hazard events, charged by capital value.

To have your say, please fill out our quick poll - it will only take a minute or two of your time: visit https://shape.tasman.govt.nz/annual-plan/annual-plan-20262027-quick-polls.

Please remember, Facebook comments are not an official submission, so please visit the link above to drop your vote and ensure your voice is heard.

Please take a moment to tell us what you think.

16/03/2026

Latest update from TDC on river management:

Still no reply regarding my requested in person meeting. No gravel extraction mentioned - riverbeds flush with land in my stretch of the Wai-iti.

We have been hard at work on Tasman’s rivers since the June-July 2025 major flood events, and we have now established a programme of work covering the next 20 months that will progressively address flood-damaged areas.

Work is grouped into three broad categories of channel shaping, rock works (repairing and installing rock structures), and willow planting.

The programme is well underway, with a significant portion of early works already complete or in progress. Broadly, the programme is scheduled in several major phases:

• July 2025 to late 2025: Major river realignments and gravel relocation, and the first phase of rock work across most rivers.

• Summer and autumn 2026 (current focus): The peak period of physical works – rock repairs, new rock structures, and continued shaping – is happening now across many rivers.

• Winter 2026: Significant willow plantings in flood-damaged areas, and maintenance of existing willows to encourage new growth.

• Spring 2026 to Autumn 2027: Continuing with physical bank protection work in damaged areas – rock repairs and new rock structures.

• Winter to Spring 2027: Another major willow planting and maintenance programme over the winter months, with the main river recovery programme winding down in spring with completion of rock works on the more complex rivers (Motupiko, Tadmor, Upper and Lower Motueka, Wai-iti).

The specific areas we are working on include complex programmes at Dove River and the aforementioned larger rivers.

Smaller, targeted works are also planned for Tākaka, Moutere, Sherry, Wairoa and Waingaro Rivers – right down to limited intervention work at Pigeon Valley Stream.

Check out an overview of the plan, including a river-by-river summary, at tasman.govt.nz/river-recovery.

We have been hard at work on Tasman’s rivers since the June-July 2025 major flood events, and we have now established a programme of work covering the next 20 months that will progressively address flood-damaged areas. Work is grouped into three broad categories of channel shaping, rock works (rep...

02/03/2026

Hi to those who follow this page.

My home is almost restored from June/July floods in Tasman 2025.

Today I rang TDC with a request to have a meeting with River Management regarding their progress on gravel removal and stock bank improvements along the wai iti from Wakefield to Brightwater. I am keen to hear what progress has been made before winter begins. I have been up the river and nothing has changed from the floods.

Regardless of ‘100’ year flood quoted by officials? my 80 year old home, both neighbours homes over 140 years old have never flooded.

I will update this page when I have had the requested meeting.

For those, like myself that were flooded I hope you have managed to restore your homes / it’s not something you forget and insurance premiums increasing along with the doubtful saleability of my home I hope TDC have something positive to report!

This is a NATIONAL issue not just Tasman.

Rose Renton
Spring Grove
Tasman

20/02/2026

Latest post from TDC:
No gravel removal from rivers so far!

Flood recovery continues to move forward! It’s nearly eight months since the region was hit by the first of two devastating storms that caused widespread damage and disrupted so many people’s lives.

While for some residents those dark wet weeks in the middle of winter are a fading memory, for others across Tasman District there are still daily reminders of nature’s fury.

We are still doing a lot of work in many places.

The largest amount of work is in our rivers, and we’re going to have crews working full-time in the river network for the next 18 months to two years. That work includes rebuilding and re-forming stopbanks and adding protection where we can, starting in the highest risk areas.

We’re also gearing up for a big willow planting project this winter, which will assist with retaining riverbanks.

Our roading network also took a hammering in the storms, and we’re about to start on some big projects. A lot of assessments have been done, and geotechnical work has been completed, so we’re ready to launch some of the big projects like the Mārahau Hill and Motueka River West Bank Road.

Storm waste is another issue we’re still dealing with, which includes silt and all sorts of complex waste like woody waste, bits of trees, plastic, wire and fencing. We’re trying to recover and reuse what we can instead of sending it to landfill.
.. And finally, we’re using the lessons and knowledge gained from these storms to plan and prepare for dealing with future flooding emergencies.

07/12/2025

The latest from TDC on our rivers:

Right approach required for river work expectations. While rivers are dynamic, constantly changing systems, the 2025 floods have pushed a number of Tasman’s rivers into a new state and balance, that will continue to adjust and settle for some time.

The long-term recovery work on our rivers will have this new dynamic state front of mind, and we will be looking to river management practices, old and new, including planting and gravel extraction, to prepare us for the next major flood as best as possible.

Recent public interactions through our district-wide River Care meetings helped us gain valuable insights into what is important to residents. Collaboration with landowners is important in establishing the needs and priorities of our work. We are also working with previous catchment staff and experts from outside the District.

The initial response during and after the floods meant immediate action was required by landowners to repair damage and minimise the impacts in anticipation of another flood, as long as that work did not adversely impact their neighbours or the river’s ability to accommodate a major flood.

It is essential now that all works completed in our rivers take account of the river in its entirety and doesn’t just shift harm from one landowner to another.

Accordingly, we will look to verify that permanent works completed during and after the floods, such as building new or raising existing stopbanks, are done to the required standards and regulations (e.g. new or changed ones are likely to need a resource consent).

Where legal requirements for permanent works that have the potential to impact adjacent landowners are not met, we will consider if compliance measures are necessary to remedy the situation. At the core of this is a long-term goal of managing flood risk sustainably and building a safe, resilient river network for everyone.

03/11/2025

A reminder of public meeting dates coming up for river management:

Anyone who is interested is invited to attend their local meeting to hear information about river works over the past year, discuss river management issues in your area, and help plan for work to be done in 2026.

Topics will include the significant flooding of June and July 2025, flood protection, erosion control, and maintenance of the riparian margin which may be significant to the area you live.

If you are planning to attend one of these meetings and have a specific question or topic you would like discussed, please email [email protected] with the question or topic and the meeting you plan to attend.

We look forward to seeing you at one of the six scheduled meetings:

• Aorere Catchment – includes the Aorere and Kaituna Rivers. Monday 10 November, 10.30 am, Collingwood Tavern.

• Tākaka Catchment – includes the Tākaka, Waingaro and Anatoki Rivers. Monday 10 November, 2.00 pm, Golden Bay Rec Park Centre.

• Lower Motueka Catchment – includes the Lower Motueka, Riuwaka, Brooklyn and Moutere Rivers; Little Sydney, Hamiltons and Scotts Streams; Pauley Creek, and the Company Ditches. Wednesday 12 November, 7.00 pm, Motueka Library Community Meeting Room.

• Dove River. Tuesday 18 November, 7.00 pm, Dovedale Hall.

• Upper Motueka Catchment – includes the Upper Motueka, Motupiko, Tadmor and Sherry Rivers. Wednesday 19 November, 7.00 pm, Tapawera Community Rooms.

• Waimea Catchment – includes the Waimea, Wai-iti, Wairoa, Redwood Valley and Eves Valley Rivers. Thursday 20 November, 7.00 pm, Brightwater Public Hall.

20/10/2025

A Spring Grove meeting has just been held for the 14 or so neighbours that were flooded in June/Huly events.
TDC did not attend, they sent their secretary who noted all concerns but could answer nothing.

IF this is the outcome 4 months down the track…I suggest every community start distributing the petition sheets for change.

Gravel extraction TOP question.

If we want change - it has to be made collectively ❤️🙏🏼

29/08/2025

The website is live:
You can download a pdf to sign also an online petition to sign.
Please share far and wide. This is a National issue not just Tasman District Council.
New Zealand needs urgent river policy management change to river beds, stock banks to prevent future flooding and lives destroyed: Councul must be accountable for their lack of workable actions:

Forecasted floods in our future threaten Tasman’s communities, homes, livelihoods, infrastructure and property value - and better river management is non-negotiable for a resilient future. Our...

22/08/2025

Hi those following this page. We have a team compiling the website to access the petition for urgent change to TDC river management policy.

Once the website is live, you will be able to download the pdf form to gather signatures in your area.

It’s been a long rough road for those affected by the Tasman flooding in June/July myself included.

It’s heartbreaking to lose your home and belongings, dry out the spaces, remove silt, deal with insurance while life goes on around you.

I started this out of frustration not only for myself/family but also for every other family and person in this situation.

I appreciate your support.

Change occurs when we step outside of our comfort zones and resist what clearly isn’t working.

29/07/2025

Introducing your TDC River Manager - I wonder how many local farmers and contractors David has sat down and discussed the history of our rivers with over the past year?

24/07/2025

After many local conversations here along with visiting the Barton Lane river breach with local farmer and contractor nothing can be done as the volume of water upstream has multiple breaches of river banks and further downstream I cannot access to ensure there isn’t a break in our stretch of the Wai iti river.

Simple meaning: sand bags are my temporary short term solution for potential flooding next week rain dependant.

Today, having realised my focus must be my home/family and those homes surrounding me to find long term solutions collectively.

I’m sure many others feel the same.

The exhausting process of two floods and what follows is indescribable.

I am not prepared to be the voice on this National issue. There are many who want the change. One of them can carry this torch.

For many years I was in the public eye regarding law reform. These days what I cherish is my home, my privacy and peace.

So a turn around for self care ❤️ I love where I live in Spring Grove Tasman. I am here for the long haul regardless of ineptitude from TDC. I chose peace over paperwork and trauma.

Rose ☀️

21/07/2025

https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/news/farmers-and-council-at-odds-over-management-of-tasmans-flood-hit-upper-motueka-river/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR64JQsVfVFV_9w98erbuvKSr2VRC7rdWN28cr_X72ewtoFSuK9fCXMnLUh34g_aem_9ZPU3DZ614sLmyISnjFDvA&sfnsn=wa