New government co-funding boosts flood work across Murihiku Southland

Today’s announcement of new Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) co-funding marks the third round of central government investment in Murihiku Southland’s flood-risk-reduction programme since 2020. The funding reflects a strong partnership between local and central government to reduce flood risk and strengthen Southland’s flood infrastructure network.

$14.9 million from Kānoa (60% of the total), alongside Environment Southland’s 40% co-funding, will support a new package of works designed to further reduce flood risk for Invercargill City, Gore and Mataura, and for communities in the lower Ōreti catchments.

The works focus on restoring agreed levels of service across priority areas of the region’s flood infrastructure network – fixing known low or compromised sections of flood banks, stabilising eroding margins, adding rock armouring, clearing vegetation that restricts flow, and upgrading culverts and drainage where water can back up. Together, these actions will help sustain network performance during high flows and shorten the duration of disruptions after major events.

Retiring Environment Southland Chairman Nicol Horrell said the announcement was great news for the region and our communities.

“The significant financial investment from Kānoa reflects our ability to get on and get things done.

“This new co-funding allows us to maintain momentum with restoring agreed service levels across our flood infrastructure, and to keep our communities, businesses and critical services connected when it matters most.”

Environment Southland Acting Chief Executive Rob Phillips said the new funding will help shape how the region manages flood risk in the years ahead.

“Acting now reduces risk and avoids higher repair and recovery costs later, while supporting local jobs and giving communities and businesses confidence to plan,” Rob Phillips said.

Along the Mataura River at Gore and Mataura, staged improvements will use findings from new 2D hydraulic flood modelling to improve channel efficiency and flood bank integrity at known constraints, including vegetation removal, bank repairs and access upgrades near key infrastructure. The funding also enables the development of a whole-of-catchment plan for the Mataura River, which will help identify where nature-based interventions and other measures could complement existing flood infrastructure in the future.

In the Ōreti catchment, with the first round of RIF-funded works about to start, this new funding extends the programme with targeted upgrades to strengthen priority flood-bank sections and improve channel capacity, helping maintain reliable levels of service across the Ōreti floodplain.

In Invercargill, the project aims to target low sections of the Ōtepuni flood bank to stabilise and align overall performance with the recently upgraded Waihōpai River (true left) flood bank. While the specific project details are still to be developed this work may include strengthened rock armouring and vegetation management to improve long-term stability and reduce maintenance needs.

“Environment Southland’s 40% contribution was planned for and included in the current Annual Plan. While no infrastructure removes all risk, these targeted works reduce flood impacts and help keep essential services operating when severe weather hits,” Rob Phillips said.

“Early works will begin this construction season, with further stages sequenced as design and engagement milestones are confirmed. Environment Southland will continue to work with Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku, councils, landowners and communities, with updates provided as planning milestones are confirmed.”

The latest investment sits within the national Resilient River Communities initiative – a joint programme between Te Uru Kahika (the collective of regional and unitary councils) and Kānoa – the Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit of MBIE.

ENDS

Background

• On 16 October 2025, the Government announced nearly $97 million for 32 flood-risk-reduction projects nationwide (Regional Infrastructure Fund Tranche 2), with central government funding 60 percent and councils funding 40 percent. The package focuses on high-priority regional risk, including 22 South Island projects, and brings the total number of RIF-supported flood projects to 74 since August 2024. The package builds on the 2024 Before the Deluge co-funded works, reflects shared Crown–council responsibility, and backs catchment-scale delivery that reduces flood risk and supports community and economic confidence.
• This is the third round of central government co-funding for Environment Southland’s flood-risk-reduction work since 2020. Round one (2020) came through the Government’s COVID-19 ‘Shovel-Ready’ Climate Resilience funding.
• Previous co-funding supported works in Gore, Mataura, Wyndham and Invercargill, and the current programme in the Aparima and Ōreti catchments and the Te Anau Basin, with Aparima complete and Te Anau nearing completion.
• The new funding continues Murihiku Southland’s contribution to the national Resilient River Communities (RRC) programme, co-funded by Kānoa (MBIE) and co-ordinated nationally by Te Uru Kahika – Regional and Unitary Councils Aotearoa.
• The RRC programme co-funds flood-risk-reduction projects that lessen environmental, economic and social damage caused by flooding. It builds on the success of earlier Climate Resilience projects completed since 2020 and continues to expand through new RIF investments nationwide.
• The latest co-funding for Southland also enables a whole-of-catchment plan for the Mataura River—a plan that looks at the entire river system (main stem, tributaries and floodplain) to sequence future works—and helps identify where nature-based interventions (e.g., wetland restoration, detainment bunds, floodplain reconnection, riparian planting) could complement the flood-infrastructure network.

For more information, please contact the communications team on 0800 76 88 45 or email communications@es.govt.nz