From response to repair: Waitaki exits 28-day Recovery Period

Published on 17 August 2026

Waitaki has reached an important milestone - the district has exited the 28-day Recovery Period following the State of Emergency declared in early July. This marks a positive step forward for the community and reflects the significant progress made since the weather event. Recovery work continues, but emergency powers under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act are no longer required, allowing Council to shift its focus from response to long-term repair, restoration and preparedness.

New NIWA data reveals the scale of the deluge. In the first six hours alone, rainfall reached a one-in-30-year intensity—far beyond the MetService forecast at the time. Across the full 96-hour downpour, conditions remained at around a one-in-20-year level, repeatedly surging back to one-in-30-year intensity.

July brought 191.2 mm of rain—more than three times the monthly average of 57.3 mm. Most of it fell in just four days: between Sunday 5 and Wednesday 8 July, 179.8 mm poured down, the equivalent of more than three months’ rain.

Higher frequency heavy rain events, where a month or more’s rain drops in a short time period, present significant challenges to stormwater infrastructure which is designed for a one-in-10-year rain event at maximum capacity.

A recent study published by the University of Waikato identified “rising temperatures will make NZ storms wetter and more intense, with extreme rainfall increasing up to ~35% with severe events becoming more frequent, raising flood and damage risks.”

In June, Council began investigation and stormwater work in Ribble Street, replacing 1910 white stone culverts with much larger concrete stormwater pipes. It is also about to begin a three-year wastewater renewal of 1928 pipework which will protect it from stormwater and groundwater infiltration.

In a major clean-up effort after the event, our contractors removed around 238 m³ of volcanic sediment—enough to fill 34 truckloads—from Waterfront Road. That volume was far above the site’s normal runoff, which Oamaru Steam and Rail manages through its annual drainage maintenance programme.

Over 100 District roads were closed during the weather event, with contractors Whitestone Contracting Ltd and Southroads responding rapidly to assess sites, place signage, clear slips or fallen trees, or address stormwater and wastewater issues. Most roads were reopened within the first 10 days of the event.

Council’s Assets and Infrastructure Committee received a report from Council’s Infrastructure Manager last week regarding damage to assets, including slips and scouring alongside council-controlled roads and the Alps 2 Ocean cycle trail.

The report also identified that additional damage to Council assets had been identified since the report had been prepared.

Multiple repair options would be assessed – with the focus on achieving a cost-effective and sustainable outcome. This may involve considering whether full restoration is required for less-used assets.

Council’s Partnerships Team will also continue to develop community resilience resources alongside Civil Defence Emergency Management, to support responses to future events.

ENDS

media@waitaki.govt.nz