Learn about the programme

The cause of the town’s stormwater issues goes back to the history of Waitara’s development, as well as its geography and how it’s influenced by proximity to the coast and the Waitara River estuary.

This project has received $20 million of funding through NPDC’s 10-Year Plan 2021-31. The first projects focus on Waitara East, and it’s estimated that further funding will be required to address issues throughout the town.

In addition, funding has been awarded by the Ministry for the Environment’s Freshwater Improvement Fund towards the Tangaroa Restoration Project.

This programme has adopted a holistic approach to stormwater management. Three main goals are guiding the work and will be integrated in all aspects of the programme:

  • Reducing the likelihood and the effects of flooding.
  • Improving the health of water bodies.
  • Enabling sustainable development.


There is a variety of initiatives within the programme, including projects that address the issues specific to catchments, like the Tangaroa Stream and Waiari Stream projects; however, the creation of a stormwater management framework will deliver stormwater solutions and catchment management planning in a consistent way across Waitara (and the wider district).

In addition to the $20m upgrade, we’re putting additional funding into checking and maintaining the pipe network to help prevent issues from occurring. Read more about our maintenance and renewal programme here.