Kāeo Flood Resilience Project opens new channel to reduce flood risk

The new Kāeo River channel (centre) before the final section was opened recently. The existing Kāeo River channel can be seen on the right. The constructed wetlands, which form part of the project's ecological additions, can be seen on the left, in the centre (these will be planted in mid-2027). Photo / Keavy Mitchell

Water is flowing through the new Kāeo River channel for the first time, marking a significant milestone in the Kāeo Flood Resilience Project.

The upstream end of the new channel was opened on Monday morning, allowing water to flow through the newly constructed channel for the first time as work continues on stage two of the project.

Northland Regional Council member Colin “Toss” Kitchen, who chairs the Kāeo-Whangaroa River Working Group, said having water flow through the new channel for the first time is a significant milestone for the project.

“The project is about improving the way floodwater moves through this area and helping reduce flood risk for Kāeo township and the adjacent State Highway 10 network.”

The new river alignment shifts the meeting point of Waikare Creek and the Kāeo River about 500m downstream. This is intended to reduce the backwater effect from the Kāeo River during heavy rain, helping reduce flood risk for the township and State Highway 10.

The milestone was marked with a short blessing led by local hapū. Project archaeologists also shared information about the age of several of the archaeological features uncovered during the earthworks.

Radiocarbon dating of five fire features placed four features at an age of 1670-1800+ AD and one of 1400-1450 AD. The earlier date is thought to relate to gardening, reinforcing evidence of Māori use of the landscape early in the settlement of Aotearoa.

Archaeological work continues to be actively managed on site, with archaeologists and cultural monitors supervising excavation.

Kitchen said while getting water flowing through the new channel was an important milestone, work on stage two was not yet finished.

Fish relocation from the section of the old river channel to be infilled has also been undertaken by Ngā Kaitiaki o Ngā Wai Māori, who have whakapapa (genealogical) connections to this rohe (region) and are sharing their knowledge with local hapū, iwi and cultural monitors.

For tangata whenua (local Māori), ensuring all taonga species are transferred with manaaki (care, respect) is central to this work, including caring for tuna elvers (juveniles) as they return from the Pacific Ocean.

Data collected to date indicate an abundance of fish life, an encouraging sign for the project’s restoration aspirations.

Planned habitat for īnanga (whitebait), wetlands and bittern offers opportunities to support fish life and wider ecological recovery into the future, demonstrating the concept of Te Mana o te Wai (putting the health of waterways first) in practice.

Kitchen said the fish relocation is taking part at the same time as sheet piling is being used to divert the full flow of the Kāeo River into the new reach of constructed river.

By mid-November, once the fish salvage is complete within it, a 170m stretch of the old Kāeo River channel will be infilled to allow for completion of the deflection bank that will further protect Kāeo township during a flood.

“There is still work to do – and the programme remains weather-dependent – but bringing the new channel online is a really tangible sign of the progress that’s been made,” Kitchen said.

“We’re grateful to the Kāeo community, mana whenua and everyone involved in the project for their patience and support as this work continues.”

Once construction is complete, surveys of the new channel and deflection bank flood infrastructure will be undertaken. Planting of the new river channel and four wetlands is planned for mid-2027 and will be led by community groups.