Message from our Chair & Chief Executive

It’s been a tough few years. Covid’s disruption, closely followed by a disaster of the scale of Cyclone Gabrielle has had a significant impact across the region. 

Our proposed three-year plan is focused on recovery and resilience.

Our key work includes delivering a $250 million flood resilience programme which will see us build flood infrastructure to move properties in Category 2 areas to Category 1 to enable people to move on with their lives.

We are investigating the long-term design and management of flood schemes in the face of our changing climate, and continuing to invest in critical partnerships and the core functions of the Regional Council.

We are setting up the Regional Council’s investment arm - the Hawke’s Bay Regional Investment Company - to improve returns to ratepayers from our investments.

We are also proposing to bolster funding for Civil Defence, as together with all the councils in the region we work on implementation of the review of the Civil Defence Emergency Management response to Cyclone Gabrielle.

At the same time, we have to make some tough choices as the costs of recovery and day to day work increase. We are mindful of the impact of these increased costs on ratepayers.

To contain costs and redirect spending to recovery work, we are proposing to stop and temporarily slow some services. We have also made internal cuts which combined with the proposed service changes save $4.6 million in 2024-25.

You can find more details of the plan in the consultation document, available online and in hard copy in libraries and our Wairoa, Napier and Waipawa offices.

Getting the balance right between savings, and delivering services communities value is always difficult which means your feedback is critical.

Have your say