Hastings District Council failed to maintain flood protection infrastructure in Havelock North despite multiple recommendations over more than a decade, according to a report by chief ombudsman Peter Boshier.
The report, released Monday, concluded that the council had not acted reasonably in maintaining local dams and clearing debris from streams, which residents claim contributed to flooding during Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023.
Stuff reported that concerns about the upkeep of the dams and streams have been raised since at least 2011, when local media reported on the issue. The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and engineering consultants also repeatedly highlighted risks.
However, the ombudsman’s report found that the district council did not implement recommended flood mitigation measures.
The five earth dams, constructed in the 1980s to prevent flooding, are under the council’s jurisdiction following a 2003 agreement. Reports from 2016 and 2021 recommended flood capacity improvements and inspections, but these were not carried out.
The 2021 review urged the council to undertake a CCTV inspection of the Mangarau Dam pipework within six months. This inspection did not occur until 2024, after Cyclone Gabrielle had caused damage.
According to Stuff, Boshier’s report criticised the council for failing to act on expert recommendations. Boshier stated that while the council was not legally required to conduct the recommended assessments, it had taken insufficient steps to address identified flood capacity issues. He also noted that the council did not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place for the dams, despite repeated advice since 2007 that such a plan was necessary. The plan was only progressed in 2024.
The report found that the council publicly stated that the Mangarau stream had been cleared before the cyclone, despite evidence to the contrary.
Boshier questioned why obstructions, including a large tree trunk reported as early as 2021, were not removed earlier. He said that councils should take a more proactive approach to maintaining waterways in response to increasing extreme weather events.
Residents affected by the flooding alleged that the failure to clear debris from the Mangarau and Herehere streams contributed to the severity of the event. They also claimed that the council had neglected necessary dam maintenance, despite warnings of potential flood risks.
In response, the Hastings District Council acknowledged that maintenance efforts over the decades had not been sufficient but maintained that Cyclone Gabrielle was an extreme weather event exceeding the design capacity of the dams.
The council stated that while it could not be determined whether additional actions would have mitigated the flooding, it had since committed to improvements in its management of the dams and waterways.
Resident spokesperson Jessica Maxwell described the ombudsman’s findings as a significant outcome for the community. She also called for the resignation of key council figures, stating that ratepayers deserved better leadership.
“My view is that the behaviour of the mayor, chief executive and general counsel is so appalling that they need to fall on their swords and resign. Hastings’ ratepayers deserve better,” said Maxwell.
The ombudsman recommended that the council issue a public statement correcting its claim that the stream had been cleared before the cyclone. However, he did not make any formal recommendations, citing the council’s commitment to improving its flood management practices.
With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, how should councils balance legal obligations with proactive risk management? Share your thoughts in the comments.
