Cabinet has agreed to engage on a proposal for a temporary change to legislation under the Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Legislation Act 2023 (SWERLA), which would speed up the delivery of flood protection work across Hawke’s Bay.

On the back of Cyclone Gabrielle, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has earmarked seven areas where new flood infrastructure would see category 2A and 2C properties reclassified to Category 1 and one area where new flood infrastructure would protect an industrial area as well as Napier’s wastewater treatment plant. These areas are Wairoa, Whirinaki, Waiohiki, Ohiti Road/Omāhu, Pākōwhai, Havelock North, Pōrangahau and Awatoto.

Since the cyclone and other severe weather events in early 2023, laws have been changed on a range of issues to help recovery efforts across affected regions. The mechanism being used to do this, which is what is being proposed in this instance, is a piece of secondary legislation called an Order in Council (OiC).

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Chair, Hinewai Ormsby welcomed the decision by cabinet, saying the order would provide a streamlined process for the multiple resource consent applications that would inevitably be required before construction of any planned flood infrastructure could begin.

“This will play an important role in enabling work to start sooner and progress to be kept on track, whilst ensuring the usual protective measures of cultural and environmental impact assessments will not be compromised.

“Ultimately we want to be able to provide certainty for our Category 2 property owners that they have a pathway to Category 1 and this is reliant on consent for new flood infrastructure works in these areas.”

She said whilst Council acknowledges each Category 2 community is at a different stage in the process, the reality is that regardless of the preferred solution there will be resource consents required to undertake the work.

“In Wairoa and Pōrangahau, we are still working through options with those communities at this point, but it is reassuring to know when we get to the consent stage we will be able to move through this process efficiently.”

The Ministry for the Environment (MfE), on behalf of central Government, is running a public engagement on the proposal which finishes on 18 March. Details of this engagement are available on the Ministry for the Environment website.

Wairatahi, a large scale residential development in Hastings owned by Heretaunga Tamatea Pou Tahua – the commercial arm of Tamatea Pōkai Whenua, (formerly Heretaunga Tamatea Settlement Trust) – has secured approval to go ahead via the Government’s fast track consent process.

Tamatea Pōkai Whenua (TPW) chair Pōhatu Paku said the Covid-19 Recovery Fast-Track Consent decision was a significant outcome for the Trust; a major boost for the region’s economy and affordable housing supply.

“This is a major milestone for our hapū settlement entity and we are ecstatic that consent has been approved by the government’s fast track process which will create many jobs during construction and increase housing supply by up to 450 warm homes.

“This is one of the largest Māori led residential development on the East Coast and a lot of mahi has been put into the design which will realise the full potential of our whenua,” Mr Paku said.

Heretaunga Tamatea Pou Tahua, the commercial subsidiary of TPW,  chairperson Renata Hakiwai said site works for stage 1 could commence towards the end of this year, following discussions with potential development partners.

Wairatahi, is a 28ha property in Stock Road and will offer a range of housing options, including townhouses, detached dwellings, multi-generational homes, and standalone houses.

Tamatea Pōkai Whenua Chief Executive Dr Darryn Russell explains the community impact the Trust and its commercial arm are advancing for greater Hastings.

“As well as a diverse mix of housing options, we are ultimately creating a new community and extensive planning has gone into how we protect and enhance the environment such as the restoration and protection of the Irongate Stream.

“The development is not just for our members and their whānau but for all people and the fast-track decision is timely based on what our region is facing since the cyclone destroyed many homes across our rohe,” Dr Russell said.

The development is likely to have a small neighbourhood centre, community gardens, playground, and central park connected to open space separating the development from the State Highway and a walkway network, including along the Irongate Stream, will also be provided, enhancing public amenity and connectivity.

Dr Russell said the consent application’s success was due to the strong leadership of the Trust’s commercial arm, and a highly capable project team that had worked tirelessly, along with support from Hastings District Council and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.

“The Heretaunga Tamatea Pou Tahua Board are driving forward the vision to ensure we are developing sustainable communities and  much needed homes in Heretaunga Hastings.

“Hastings District Council and the regional council have been supportive and we look forward to the next steps of our partnership.”

The development is part of TPW’s investment related to a Treaty of Waitangi settlement.

In 2018, a settlement package worth $105 million was made with Heretaunga Tamatea (which represents 43 hapū and 23 marae around the Hastings and Central Hawke’s Bay area) as part of its Treaty of Waitangi claim.

The announcement comes amid a housing crisis in Hawke’s Bay compounded by Cyclone Gabrielle, which sadly destroyed or damaged many homes in the region.

One of New Zealand’s most iconic beach-side holiday parks will continue to welcome thousands of holiday makers while remaining in local ownership.

Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa Trust’s commercial entity today announced its purchase of the Mahia Beach Motel & Holiday Park, securing an asset that is pivotal to the Wairoa and Mahia community and local economy. This beautiful piece of land is enjoyed by both national and international holiday-goers.

Tātau Tātau Commercial Limited Partnership Kaihautū (Chief Executive) Aayden Clarke said it was important to acknowledge that the 3ha of residentially-zoned beachfront property will continue to provide affordable accommodation for holidaymakers.

“This is a slice of paradise on the east coast has been incredibly popular for generations of whānau as well as national and international tourists.

He signalled future upgrades to the property, located at 43 Moana Drive which currently is an operating business consisting of a mixture of 24 accommodation units and 150 powered and non-powered camping sites.

“This is a mokopuna investment for us, meaning we have a long term outlook to the Motel & camp ground.

“We are committed to making improvements to the holiday park and adding additional value back to the community through upgrades which will enhance the quality of stay for customers.

“At the same time we see other opportunities that complement the existing use,” Mr Clarke says.

Tātau Tātau Commercial Limited Partnership was established to protect and grow the commercial assets on behalf of its shareholder Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa Trust and the seven Kāhui (Beneficial entities).

Lewis Ratapu, Chief Executive of Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa Trust commented, “Tātau Tātau are thrilled to be the new custodians of the iconic property.

“It is very important that our people and all visitors can access affordable holiday accommodation, something that is getting harder to achieve as coastal land increases in popularity.

“We are always looking to support further growth in our wider community and to secure a significant site like this is exciting. This asset benefits all of our seven Kāhui, and obviously is of significant importance to one of those Kāhui, Rongomaiwahine.”

Rongomaiwahine Iwi Trust CEO Terence Maru acknowledges the collaborative mahi that has been done with the Tātau Tātau commercial organisation.

“There is so much potential to partner and deliver outcomes to our people while growing capability within our organisation,” Mr Maru said.

Former owner operator Isobel Creswell says ““whilst it was very difficult to let go of this park, I’m very happy it has gone to good hands. This campground now stays in NZ ownership and continues to be a holiday park for generations of families for years to come”

Isobel has been a key stakeholder of the Mahia community for 3.5 years providing affordable accommodation for all walks of life and attracting tourists to the small East Coast settlement.

Mr Clarke said it was important to highlight that “a key part of our Tiriti settlement is the evolution of Mana Motuhake of our whānau, hapū and Iwi o Te Wairoa, and this acquisition is part of exactly that.”