Kirikiri stopbank upgrade

Funded: $3.06m
Total cost: $5.10m
Project starts: 2024/25
Project ends: 2025/26

The Kirikiri Stream stopbanks are being upgraded to their required level of service, which enables protection against a one in 100-year flood event. These stopbanks, which run 3.7 kilometres from the mouth of the Kirikiri Stream to the SH26 bridge just south of Kopu (near Thames), were constructed as part of the Waihou Scheme from the 1970s to the 1990s. Material for the stopbank upgrade is being sourced from sediment extracted from the stream in 2020/21, and more recently excavated stream silt as a result of Cyclone Gabrielle.

Status update:

• Design near completion.
• Procurement of construction services underway, with construction to start in November.
• Iwi engagement ongoing due to culturally significant areas within the work area.