Confronted by two rather fundamental obstacles to its grand vision, the Ahuriri Regional Park Joint Committee has decided the Park project must be reconsidered. And refocused on the initial objective driving the project — addressing the wastewater and runoff pollution of the estuary.

Or as the Joint Committee’s media release put it more softly: “…unanimously agreed to pause the Ahuriri Regional Park (ARP) recreational development concept until viable stormwater and environmental solutions are established.”

The two obstacles: the underlying soil can’t support a wetlands cleansing process, and the threat of bird strike.

A BayBuzz reader wrote us about this …

“This infuriates me! Just thinking back to all the expenses for the Recreational park side of things, with the fancy graphic design consultants. Plus how everyone voluntarily spent time at the open sessions, the site visit, put in submissions …..

“What I don’t get is why the separately managed Recreational park project was allowed to progress so far along & yet the Stormwater cleansing project, the whole reason for the plans, was lagging so far behind? The Park should have been paused yonks ago til the Water project was caught up.”

“The staff knew that they were out of synch, and presumably the committee did too. Did no one question it?”

Fair question!  

The Joint Committee comprises representatives from Napier City Council, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Mana Ahuriri Trust.

Here’s how the Joint Committee explains its decision this week, with amazing rhetorical flourish …

“The decision follows recent technical investigations that identified significant challenges with the current masterplan concept. A geotechnical assessment found the highly permeable soils at Lagoon Farm are not suitable for the scale of wetland development originally proposed without significant engineering interventions, while a bird strike risk assessment detailed aviation risks and bird management issues associated with proximity to Hawke’s Bay Airport. 

“Joint Committee Chair Councillor Whare Isaac-Sharland said the decision reflects the committee’s commitment to making evidence-based decisions while remaining focused on the long-term vision for Te Whanganui a Orotu. 

“This project has always been built on partnership. The committee brings together local government and Mana Ahuriri to deliver a shared vision for Te Whanganui a Orotu, and that vision remains unchanged,” said Councillor Isaac-Sharland. 

“Our aspiration to improve the wellbeing of the estuary, strengthen cultural connections and deliver better environmental outcomes for the wider Napier community remains as strong as ever. What has changed is our understanding of the site and its constraints. We have a responsibility to respond to that evidence.” 

“The committee heard that addressing the geotechnical issues through clay or engineered lining could add an estimated $23 million to project costs, while bird strike mitigation would require design responses and ongoing management. 

“Isaac-Sharland said robust technical investigations are an essential part of good governance and project development. 

“This is exactly why we undertake detailed investigations. Projects of this scale must evolve as new information comes to hand. It is better to pause, reassess and get it right than continue down a path that may not be viable.” 

“Importantly, the separate Lagoon Farm Stormwater Project will continue to progress, informed by this new information. The project remains a critical piece of infrastructure for Napier and is focused on improving flood mitigation and water quality outcomes for Te Whanganui a Orotu through stormwater diversion, storage and treatment. More than 70 percent of Napier’s stormwater currently discharges into the estuary. [BayBuzz: a problem that needs to be fixed at its sources.]

“The Joint Committee endorsed a reassessment of the stormwater concept design, with future work focusing on nature-based solutions that work with the site’s natural characteristics while supporting the restoration of the estuary’s mauri. 

“Our immediate focus is on improving stormwater outcomes and restoring the health of Te Whanganui a Orotu. The long-term aspirations for the wider area remain but achieving them may require a different approach and a longer timeframe,” said Isaac-Sharland. 

“This is a long-term journey, an intergenerational approach. We are committed to working in partnership with Mana Ahuriri, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and our wider stakeholders to find solutions that work with the land, respect cultural values, improve environmental outcomes and stand the test of time. 

“The committee’s resolution means the Ahuriri Regional Park recreational development concept will pause while further optioneering and concept development for stormwater on the site is undertaken. Future options will be developed collaboratively by Napier City Council engineers, the Mana Ahuriri Taiao team and specialist advisors before being brought back to the Joint Committee for consideration.” 

We’re promised “further optioneering” from the same team that led everyone into this dead end. Not confidence inspiring.