upper orowaiti

The Upper Orowaiti stopbank dimensions:

Length: 3,440m (including McKennas stopbank shown above)

Average height: Varies between 1m in places in 2m in others (according to terrain)

Width at base: between 13m and 19m

Width at crest: 3-4m

Mainly earthen stopbank but a combination of stopbanking may be used.

Estimated construction dates: Mid – late 2026*

*Subject to consenting

Upper Orowaiti is one of five main sections of stopbanks that make up the scheme:

Upper Orowaiti, Lower Orowaiti, North End, Lower Buller (Wharf to Buller Bridge) and Upper Buller (SH67 from Buller Bridge to Nine Mile Road).

Upper Orowaiti is divided into three areas. From Stephen Road to McKenna stopbank (already contructed) to Harneys, where it meets the Upper Buller section of stopbank.

McKenna’s stopbank

McKenna stopbank is part of the Upper Orowaiti stopbank.

  • The McKenna Road project is largely complete. It is an earthen stopbank with an initial length of 780m, to assist with preventing overflow from the Orowaiti River.

  • Key dimensions:

    Length: 780m

    Height: 2.2m

    Width at base: 18m

    Width at crest: 3-4m

    Work completed in March 2025

  • In September 2024, tenders were requested.

  • Consent was granted and the tender awarded to Rosco Contractors Ltd in November. Work started in late November/early December 2024.

  • Work was completed on time and on budget by 31 March 2025.

  • A blessing ceremony was held on 18 December 2024 to mark the start of work.

  • A Fact Sheet on the McKenna Stopbank provides information on how the project is being carried out. McKenna is the first of the larger stopbanks to be completed.

What about the balance of the Upper Orowaiti section?

The remainder of Upper Orowaiti stopbank will be an earthen structure 2.75km long (not including McKennas).

Current status: Initial alignment confirmed, site investigation, and initial design underway. The balance of the McKenna stopbank needs to be completed.

Estimated construction dates: Mid-late 2026