Te Awa o Mokotūāraro (Clive River) riverbank at Farndon Rd now strengthened

Erosion protection work has been completed on the Farndon Road portion of the Clive River, stabilising around 250 metres of exposed river edge with a new rock revetment and the re-establishment of the stopbank.

Erosion from river flows had gradually eroded the west bank of the river, which began to threaten the stability of the stopbank, and the risk of failure could have impacted Farndon Road, rail network and neighbouring properties. The rock revetment will help to protect the riverbank from erosion by absorbing the force of faster-flowing water and preventing scouring during high river flows.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC) engaged Galbraith Earthmovers Ltd to carry out the work, which was completed in partnership with Operation Pātiki Charitable Trust.

Te Awa o Mokotūāraro holds deep cultural and historical significance for mana whenua. To acknowledge this, a kōhatu mauri (stone of life) sourced from Kurīpāpango on the Ngaruroro River, was placed in the revetment. The kōhatu mauri is named Pāpango, honouring the location and mana of where it was sourced.

HBRC Project Manager Raj Patil says, “This project has restored much-needed resilience to a section of the awa that has faced long-term erosion. Strengthening this riverbank section is an important step toward safeguarding people, key infrastructure, land, and culture for the future.

We are honoured to have worked with Operation Pātiki to improve flood resilience and help to improve the mauri of Te Awa o Mokotūāraro. This project reflects our shared kaitiakitanga responsibilities and shows what is possible from working together to protect and uplift the awa for future generations.”

During the eight-week duration of the work, Farndon Road remained open for all but two days, minimising disruption to traffic and residents.

The completion of the project was marked with a karakia on site for the safe completion of the work and to reaffirm the partnership and shared guardianship of Te Awa o Mokotūāraro.

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