Hawke's Bay coastal towns demand urgent action against erosion and flooding

Coastal communities in Hawke's Bay are pushing for stronger protection against erosion and flooding. A local focus group is now preparing advice for the regional council as part of a draft strategy consultation. The moves come after years of worsening damage, including homes at risk and critical infrastructure under threat.

Residents in Haumoana and Te Awanga have faced some of the fastest erosion rates in New Zealand over the past two decades. More than 50 households are directly affected, with roads and wastewater plants also in danger from rising seas and storms.

The Te Awanga and Haumoana Focus Group is finalising a statement of advice for Hawke's Bay Regional Council (HBRC). This will feed into the next phase of consultation on the draft Clifton to Tangoio Coastal Hazards Strategy. The document aims to outline funding options, including targeted rates and council partnerships, while addressing community concerns.

Erosion and storm surges have hit the Cape Coast towns harder than many other regions. Since 2006, the coastline has retreated faster than the national average, forcing evacuations—such as at the Te Awanga Wastewater Treatment Plant in 2023. Over the past five years alone, Hastings District Council has spent $1.9 million trying to slow the damage.

Local advocacy has grown alongside the erosion threat. Walking on Water (WoW), a group formed in 2009, merged with the Cape Coast Community Group (CCCG) in 2023. Ann Redstone, a former Hastings District councillor and 43-year Haumoana resident, remains a key voice. She argues that coastal communities deserve the same flood protections as inland areas.

The push for action follows Cyclone Gabrielle, which caused over $250 million in flood defence spending across Hawke's Bay. The focus group's advice will stress four priorities: urgent protection measures, risks to the council if no action is taken, support for the draft strategy, and fair funding distribution.

The draft strategy will shape how Hawke's Bay manages its eroding coastline in the coming years. Residents and advocacy groups want concrete solutions, from better funding to stronger defences. With infrastructure and homes already at risk, the regional council's next steps will determine how these communities adapt to a changing climate.