Kaeo River flood protection work begins after years of planning

Geologists, archaeologists and local hapu inspect one of the test pits dug along the proposed route of a proposed new channel for the Kaeo River. Photo / NRC

Work has begun on a long-awaited $1.5 million project to re-route part of the Kaeo River, a move expected to reduce flooding in the township.

After years of talks and planning, preliminary digging along the proposed alignment got underway to re-route a 500m section of the Kaeo River.

Northland Regional Council group manager for community resilience, Louisa Gritt said NRC staff, tangata whenua representatives, archaeologists, local contractors and engineers gathered at Kaeo recently to excavate 10 test pits along a forgotten river path – a paleo channel – that the re-directed river will soon occupy again.

The dig served as both a geotechnical investigation to gain a clearer understanding of the soil structure and composition in the area, as well as an exploratory archaeological dig.

Having accessed to clean drinking water has been a constant battle for Kaeo residents. Photo / Yolisa Tswanya

Gritt said the Kaeo River – Whangaroa Catchment Working Group had last year approved the construction of further flood protection works for Kaeo township and adjacent portions of State Highway 10 for resilience to home and business owners and main roading routes.

The project will see the junction of the Waikara Stream and Kaeo River shifted 500m downstream and a new 500m long deflection bank constructed alongside Kaeo township.

Once complete, the project is expected to reduce the depth of floodwaters in Kaeo during a one in a hundred year flood event by up to half a metre.

“The Kaeo scheme is one of several flood management schemes in place in Northland to reduce risk to life, property and infrastructure.”

She said the Kaeo project has many opportunities in addition to the flood reduction benefits, such as wetland and channel enhancement, habitat restoration, and planting schemes.

This project is funded through a combination of targeted and regionwide flood infrastructure rates and central government funding from National Infrastructure Funding and Financing.

The project has been allocated $1.5 million for completion and is eligible for further funding relating to environmental and community enhancement aspects of the wider project.

For decades, Kaeo residents have watched floodwaters rise after major weather events and local representative Bruce Mills said the project had strong community support.

“I am all in favour of it. It is our last chance of protecting our township. We have talked about it for years and I am excited to see it moving forward.”

Mills, who serves on the Working Group, said the works could also bring environmental and recreational benefits, including planting and habitat restoration.

He said it was vital for Kaeo’s future that the town takes advantage of the funding and uses it to benefit the town.

“If we don’t take it, we may lose it and we may never get it offered to us again. So, this is a chance to do it.”

Earthworks are due to start next month and are expected to take two months, with planting and landscape work to continue into 2026.