With nearly 600,000 cubic metres of large woody debris removed from river catchments and beaches across the Gisborne region since Cyclone Gabrielle, significant progress continues to be made to reduce woody debris risks.
Final work to address remaining debris in rivers in the Ūawa, Waiapu, Waipaoa and Northern catchments will get underway in early 2026. Work to scope the remaining 4km of the lower Waimatā River (from the Cheese Factory to the William Pettie Bridge) began last month.
Gisborne Council Chief Executive, Nedine Thatcher-Swann says completing the $54 million phase of the programme, funded by the cyclone recovery to remove woody debris from river catchments, will be a significant milestone.
Council has worked collaboratively with the Tairāwhiti Forestry Action Group (TFA Group), appointed by Forestry Minister, Todd McClay, to identify areas of risk and accelerate the cleanup efforts. A further $27 million has been funded by MPI for the next phase of the woody debris work.
TFA Group Chair, Patrick Willock says the group’s focus has now turned to treating high-risk woody debris, beyond the forest gate: “A portion of the MPI funding will be allocated to treating woody debris at its source, on our most erosion prone and vulnerable land in the region.”
Council and the TFA Group are working proactively with partners and forest companies, focusing on the highest-risk catchments to identify which locations require targeted intervention.
“This is the next step to improve resilience and lower risks to safeguard our communities and waterways,” says Mr Willock.
“There is approximately $100m worth of work required to address the highest risk areas across the region and further funding will be required to support the collaborative efforts to reduce this risk.”
The initial focus is on the Waimatā and Te Arai catchments due to the critical lifelines and infrastructure in these areas.
Work in two forests is currently at the pre-consent stage, and engagement is underway with other forestry companies who meet the eligibility criteria for trees or debris at risk of entering waterways, and who aren't under Environment Court action or abatement notice.
Mr Willock says when many of these forestry blocks were initially planted, rules and expectations around where and how to plant were very different to what exists today.
“This programme recognises those changes and is focused on supporting forestry companies to address areas that are now identified as high-risk,” he says.
“Funding support will be directed toward work that delivers environmental outcomes beyond standard business-as-usual operations, ensuring investment goes where it will have the greatest impact.”
Ms Thatcher-Swann adds that Council is committed to supporting operators through the most appropriate consenting pathways to ensure the work can proceed safely, efficiently and in alignment with long-term land use priorities.
“By working closely with the sector, we can ensure this work is well-planned and delivered in a way that supports both community safety and environmental outcomes,” she says.
