Te Kaupapa Tiaki Āpōpō: Te mahi whakapai ake i ngā ārai waipuke i te CBD
Project Future Proof is a multi-stage project, led by Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council, to upgrade flood defences (stopbanks and floodwalls) along the Whakatāne CBD stretches of the river (Ōhinemataroa).
Why is this happening?
The floodwall and stopbanks are critical for safeguarding people, property and livelihoods. Over time, seepage issues have been identified in some areas. Seepage is when water passes through a stopbank when the river level is high. While controlled seepage is good for relieving pressure within the stopbanks, excessive, uncontrolled seepage can lead to stopbanks collapsing. While Regional Council is doing the seepage control work, they will also be raising the height of the floodwalls. This height increase is based on increased flows in the awa (due to climate change and predictions for sea level rise).
Project Future Proof will:
- Control seepage within stopbanks to prevent collapse.
- Raise the height of floodwalls to meet future flood protection standards.
- Upgrade flood defences in other areas as part of a staged approach.
What's the vision?
While the primary goal is flood protection, we know the riverfront is a special place for our community. Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council will focus on upgrades to flood defences, ensuring the waterfront functions well during increased heavy weather events. Whakatāne District Council will work to minimise the visual and accessibility impacts of the floodwall. The goal is to create quality public spaces that are welcoming, inclusive and reinforce community connection to the awa. We will also work closely with iwi and hapu to weave cultural narratives into designs for the area.
Project stages
- Stage One (Whakatāne Skate Park to the former Whakatāne isite building) is complete.
- Stage Two is also complete, except for the footbridge planned for the Wairere Stream, which is scheduled for installation in mid-2026.
- Stage Three is due to start in early 2026 and will continue the upgrade of flood defences and integration of riverfront improvements.
- Stage four around the boat ramp (from the end of
Mataatua Reserve to near the end of the Wairaka
Playground) and alongside the Wairere Stream. This stage is scheduled to start late 2026.
Visit the Regional Council’s website for more information »
Whakatāne Riverfront Enhancement
As the floodwall and stopbanks are upgraded by Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council, we want to make sure the Whakatāne riverfront remains a place people love to spend time and is easy for everyone to access. Whakatāne District Council is now focused on offsetting the visual and amenity impacts of the floodwall and improving the experience of the riverfront for current and future generations.
Our goal is to deliver spaces that are:
- Inclusive, safe and welcoming.
- Connected to the town centre and the awa.
- Reflective of Whakatāne’s unique cultural identity.
- Retain and improve essential infrastructure.
- Designed within the available budget and for long-term maintenance.
Whakatāne District Council has engaged with Ignite Architects to develop concept designs for the riverfront area around the former Whakatāne iSITE building, the nearby corner of The Strand and Quay Street and along the riverfront to Mataatua Reserve.
A baseline concept design has been developed as the simplest, lowest-cost option, at a cost of $7.5 million. This includes $3.75 million covered by a central government fund (Provincial Growth Fund via Kānoa/MBIE), matched by $3.75 million from Council's existing $7.6 million 2024-2034 Long Term Plan budget for riverfront enhancement work. There are also have several potential additions that could be included, depending on community feedback.
Community engagement
Community engagement took place from 11 March and closed 27 March 2026. At a council meeting on Thursday, 16 April 2026, councillors made the decision to go with the minimum baseline concept design at a cost of $7.5 million, funded by $3.75 million of central government funding (Kānoa/Provincial Growth Fund) and $3.75 million from the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan budget.