Current river works

Stream maintenance work underway on Taumatakahu Stream

WHAT: We’re carrying out mechanical stream maintenance in sections of Taumatakahu Stream in Temuka. The work includes:

• removing aquatic weeds and vegetation where needed
• removing in-stream and overhanging trees where needed
• clearing debris and other blockages affecting water flow.

Excavators and other machinery will work within the stream and from nearby access points.

WHEN: 15  -  26 June

WHERE: Work is taking place in sections of Taumatakahu Stream, as shown on the maps.

WHY: This work helps to:

• improve how the stream carries floodwater
• reduce the risk of blockages from vegetation and debris
• maintain the drainage and flood protection network
• improve resilience ahead of heavy rainfall.

Taumatakahu Stream maintenance area near Maude Street and Fox Street, Temuka

Taumatakahu Stream maintenance area near Milford Clandeboye Road and Temuka Cemetery

Native pre-planting spray preparation on the Orari River

WHAT: Drone spraying of paddock vegetation.   

WHERE: True right berm of the Orari River, downstream of the SH1 bridge.

WHEN: Within a single day within the month of June. Starting early June to end of June,

In June a paddock is to be prepared for native planting with rows to be sprayed in place with herbicide application from a drone sprayer. The purpose of native planting at this site is to increase vegetative density and biodiversity. The site is located on the true right berm of the Orari River, downstream of the SH1 bridge.

• Removing selected trees and vegetation
• Clearing debris from the river corridor
• Processing material on site at a skidding site off Highfield Road
• Removing usable wood from site
• Chipping and spreading smaller material on site

• Reduce fire risk to nearby homes, visitors and recreation areas
• Limit the spread of wilding conifers along the river corridor

• Machinery operating in the river corridor
• Increased vehicle movements near access points including Highview Lane
• Temporary noise and disruption
• Temporary restrictions to some public access areas to keep people safe

Tree maintenance work in Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park

WHAT: Removal of hazardous and damaged trees.

WHERE: Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park.

WHEN: Beginning 25 May 2026, for approximately four days.

To keep the park safe, our contractors will be in the area (refer to the below map) removing hazardous and damaged trees. This includes any that are leaning, structurally compromised, dead or dying, or have unstable limbs.

A section of the vehicle access track will be temporarily closed while work is in progress. Walking and cycling tracks will remain open. Please take care around the work area and follow any signage or contractor instructions.

You may notice vehicles in the area and hear some noise while the work is underway.

Within the area marked in red on the map, all trees and debris will be removed due to the trees being compromised and hazardous. Following the works, these areas will be replanted with native species.

Within the area marked in green, dead trees, unstable limbs, and associated debris will be removed to improve public safety and overall tree health.

Material from the works will be mulched on site where appropriate. We’ll take care to minimise disturbance to residents and park users.

This work helps keep the berm safe for everyone who uses it. We appreciate your patience while it’s completed.

Kowhai River tree clearance

WHAT: Removal of large trees near Kowhai River 

WHERE: Kowhai River, Near Kowhai Ford Road

WHEN: 1st of July until 31st July

WHAT: In July we are starting a program to remove large trees that are impeding into the stopbanks on the north side of the Kowhai River. Works will extend 500m downstream of Kowhai ford road and 2500m upstream. 

We will be utilising a local forestry crew while they are in the area. Works will involve the mechanical felling and mulching of trees directly adjacent to the stopbanks.  

Trees growing on or near stopbanks are liable to fall during weather events and potentially damage the stopbank and impeding access for flood monitoring. 

Access to the river may be limited while the work takes place for health and safety reasons.  

Please comply with all signage and directions of staff on the ground.

Rakaia River erosion repairs

WHAT: River erosion repairs

WHERE: Rakaia River downstream of SH1 on the South bank

WHEN: Late May for approximately a month

WHAT: In September 2025 we undertook some river erosion repairs on the Rakaia river bank downstream of the SH1 bridge. An active braid of the Rakaia remained at this site and caused some additional erosion at the original works site. The active braid has moved away from the works site so we can now undertake full repairs of the site. A small gravel bund will be constructed with anchored willow trees to help prevent further erosion.

Works will involve an excavator and dump truck move gravel to the site and to relocate trees and anchor these in the bank. There will be labourers on site with chainsaws undertaking tree layering to help further deflect flows and encourage tree growth. This work is expected to occur over a month across two sites out from River access Road.

Opihi River Berm – Vegetation Clearance for  Native Planting

WHAT: We will carry out mulching and vegetation scraping using a tractor mounted mulcher and an excavator to clear vegetation, in preparation for native planting as shown on the attached site plans. The purpose of native planting at these sites is to improve vegetation density and vegetation diversity, and to help manage weeds in the long term by establishing permanent shade. During site preparation, the Contractor will install signage and close river access tracks if required.

WHERE: Two sites on the true right berm of the Opihi River. The first is adjacent to the corner of Opihi  Road and Opihi School Road around the waterway joining the Opihi River at this point. The second is downstream at Mill Road.

WHEN: Site preparation is expected to take place between mid-May and mid-June. The expected duration of works is two to four days during this period. Planting will be carried out July – August.

Hakatere Lake Hood Berm

Where: Above Lake Hood, true right berm. The site will be accessed via Boundary Road.

What: We will carry out mulching and vegetation scraping using a tractor-mounted mulcher and an excavator to clear vegetation, in preparation for native planting as shown on the attached site plan. The purpose of native planting at this site is to improve vegetation density and vegetation diversity, and to help manage weeds in the long term by establishing permanent shade.

Two areas of approximately 2500m² each will be cleared and planted under the willow canopy, within the areas shown by the green polygons on the site plan. One or two areas, totalling 1000m² will be cleared for geotextile planting as shown by the blue polygons on the site plan. During site preparation, the contractor will install hazards and safety signs at both ends of the walking track and will have a spotter present. The track may need to be closed for a couple of hours on two separate days to allow machinery to access and leave the site. 

When: Site preparation will take place in late April and May this year and is expected to take five days. Planting will be carried out between mid-June and mid-August 2026 over two to three weeks.

Rakitata/Rangitata South Branch stopbank construction

Where: South Branch of the Rangitata/Rakitata River, to the west of SH1, near Arundel-Rangitata Rd 

What: We will be constructing new stopbanks at three locations (shown in Figure 1) on private land. The works  also include realigning an existing stock water race and installing two new culverts. The gravel used to construct the stopbanks will be taken from the main branch of the Rakitata/Rangitata River, north of the site.

These works are designed to improve flood protection for the local community by reducing the risk of overland flooding when the South Branch is flowing. This will help protect nearby homes, farmland, and 
key infrastructure, including State Highway 1 and the railway line. Construction materials may be transported along public roads, and traffic management will be in place where required.

When: April 20th to end of June 2026, during dry weather.

Okuku River fairway clearance

The Okuku River fairway tree‑clearance project will improve flood resilience by removing dead and overgrown trees and vegetation that restrict river flow and increase debris risk during high‑flow events.  
The project is co‑funded by the Regional Infrastructure Fund, administered by Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit.

Where: Selected sections of the Grey and Okuku Rivers, including riverbed islands and identified choke points where vegetation and dead trees are restricting river flow. 
 
What: The works will focus on clearing dead trees and vegetation from the riverbed, particularly from islands and narrow flow areas. This includes: 

• Removing standing dead trees (including skeleton trees) and other vegetation from riverbed islands and large adult willow standing in the centre of the channel.
• Opening up choke points in the river to improve flow paths.
• Using machinery to carry out vegetation clearance in targeted areas.
•  Considering limited gravel extraction where appropriate to support improved river capacity.
•  Undertaking repatriation planting in any rebuilt berm areas once clearance works are complete. 
• Managing and disposing of cleared material in line with environmental and safety requirements. 

These works will help reduce the risk of debris build‑up and damming during flood events, lowering the potential for damage to bridges and other infrastructure. 

When: Work starts the week of 26 January 2026 and will finish by end of June 2026, subject to weather and river conditions.

Ōrāri stopbank repairs

What: We are refurbishing (rebuilding) existing stopbanks along the Ōrāri River River to bring them up to meet design heights. This will help them better protect surrounding land from flooding.

Where: Along the Ōrāri River, on the true left bank (the left-hand side when facing downstream), between the State Highway 1 bridge and the KiwiRail bridge.

When: End of July

Why we’re doing this work: The current stopbank crest is lower than it should be and requires rebuilding to meet our bank batter (sloping sides of the stopbank) and crest design criteria. This work will improve flood resilience within the Ōrāri scheme.

Ashburton Hakatere River north branch gravel extraction

WHAT: We are extracting gravel from the riverbed for to help with flood protection.

WHERE: The north branch of the Ashburton Hakatere River upstream from Walkhams Road (see map).

WHEN: End of June

WHY: This work is taking place on the north branch of the Ashburton Haketere River, upstream of Walkhams Road. It includes removing gravel from the riverbed, where severe aggradation (build-up) has decreased the flood capacity within this narrow reach of the river. The gravel will be stockpiled and available for other construction projects of significance to the local community.

Forestry Harvesting at ‘Grassy Banks’ site on Ōpihi River

WHAT: We are harvesting of around 27 hectares of poplar forest on the southern bank of the Ōpihi  River. The area is being harvested for timber and will be replanted in another forestry crop, the species is to be confirmed.

Parts of the river, including access tracks and roads, will be closed to the public while harvesting takes place.

WHERE: The poplar forest is on the Southern side of the Ōpihi River at the top of Seadown Road, between the SH1 bridge and Waipopo Road. 

WHEN: The harvesting crew are aiming to start on the week of 2 March 2026. The operation is expected to take 15 weeks.  

WHY: These poplars were planted for flood protection. As they have matured, harvesting them is now the best way to manage the trees and make use of their value. The income generated will be reinvested into flood protection work across the Ōpihi catchment.

Courtenay Stream floodgates construction

WHAT: Replacing the Courtenay Stream floodgates in Kaiapoi

WHERE: At the confluence of Courtenay Stream and the Kaiapoi River

WHEN: Work begins the week of 2 February 2026 and is expected to be completed by end of December

The current floodgates were built in the 1940s and are now due for renewal.

This upgrade is co‑funded through the Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF), administered by Kānoa – the Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit. It also forms part of our 30‑Year Infrastructure Strategy (30YIS), which accelerates essential flood‑protection upgrades across the region.

The project includes removing the old structure and building new floodgates in the same location, starting with environmental controls, site setup, fencing, and public access changes. The upgraded structure will improve flood resilience, make maintenance safer for staff, and provide much better fish passage.

To keep the stopbank track open during construction, a temporary bridge will be installed over Courtenay Stream next to the work area.