Planning for the growing impact of heavier rainfall and more frequent flooding will be the focus of the Water New Zealand Stormwater Conference in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland this week (12-14 May).

“It’s becoming clear that we need a more coordinated national approach and better planning to strengthen resilience and protect our communities from future stormwater and flooding risks,” says Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe.

“Aotearoa New Zealand is already experiencing the impacts of more intense rainfall and increasingly frequent flooding events linked to climate change.

“We need to rethink how we plan, design and manage stormwater infrastructure if we are to keep people safe and support more resilient communities.”

A major focus will be Auckland’s evolving flood hazard blueprint, including new approaches to identifying, managing and mapping flood risk.

Keynote speakers include Auckland Council Policy, Planning and Development Committee chair, Councillor Richard Hills and Auckland Council general manager of Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience Craig Mcilroy.

Other keynote speakers include Te Kawerau Iwi Tiaki Trust chief executive Edward Ashby, barrister and former journalist Linda Clark, along with Infrastructure Commission principal adviser on water policy Jeff Whitty.

With local government reform and the future of stormwater governance under scrutiny, a panel discussion on Tuesday will examine how water services and stormwater management could evolve in coming years.

Panellists include former Watercare chief executive Jon Lamonte, now a director of emerging council-controlled organisations Waikato Waters and Wellington’s Tiaki Wai, as well as Emeritus Professor of Public Policy at Victoria University Jonathan Boston.

Other panellists include Andrew Chin from Auckland Council, Helen Mahoney from the Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA), and Kowhai Olsen from Ihumaatao Papakainga.

Indigenous perspectives and mātauranga Māori also feature strongly throughout the conference programme, reflecting the importance of water as a taonga in te ao Māori.

“The conference will also showcase nature-based solutions and innovative approaches designed to improve flood resilience, reduce risk and help communities adapt to a changing climate,” says Gillian Blythe.

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