Eleven months on from the severe storms that hit our region, recovery work is still progressing steadily.
Work is well underway on several major roading projects that require significant investment and detailed geotechnical assessment. These include Riwaka-Sandy Bay Road (particularly the hill section to Mārahau), Kaiteriteri-Sandy Bay Road, and Motueka River West Bank Road. We have also been working with the Department of Conservation to get Graham Valley Road repairs done, which should be complete by spring.
Crews also continue to make good progress on smaller repair sites. More than 700 jobs were completed between October and December 2025, with a further 400 finished between January and March 2026.
We have received $5.1 million in response and recovery phase funding, with the remaining $18.95 million now approved by the New Zealand Transport Agency, enabling continued momentum across roading recovery projects.
The rivers recovery programme has also shifted from immediate response work to a more planned, long-term approach, with crews expected to work full-time on this programme over the next 18 – 24 months.
Further marine clean-up work is also planned following reports of debris on the Motueka Sandbar, in Abel Tasman National Park, and on Farewell Spit. The Harbourmaster will carry out a survey from Pūponga to Māpua, alongside rubbish collection from Onetahua to Farewell Spit.
In the social recovery space, work is underway for an in-house group of volunteers to form a Recovery Navigator Taskforce. This team of around six trained staff will be ready to support affected communities quickly in future events.