Tukituki Water Security Project Takes Important Step Towards Contributing To Future Water Security For Hawke’s Bay

Today, Tukituki Water Security Project (TWSP) has been advised its application to have the project included as a listed project on Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Bill (the Bill) was successful.

Mike Petersen, speaking on behalf of TWSP, said:

“While the project will still need to be assessed under the Bill, this is exciting and encouraging news. This is intended to be a genuinely community-led initiative that will address one of the greatest needs for Hawkes Bay, improved water security.

“The inclusion of this project is timely, given recent reports reinforcing drying weather patterns and new population projections as our region looks to build the necessary resilience and capability to thrive and grow.

“We are united in the belief that water is a taonga, or a treasure, to us all, and a significant contributor to our collective wellbeing and to the environment and everything that stems from it. Water security is not only critical for the future wellbeing of our environment, our people and communities, it’s also one of the most critical enablers for unlocking the economic growth and potential of Te-Matau-a-Māui Hawke’s Bay.

“The TWSP project is fully consented and has already been through a comprehensive public hearings process. In addition, regionally, there is clear alignment amongst the regions leaders that water security is a key strategic priority.”

Petersen added:

“We firmly believe that the TWSP can be a significant contributor to water security and resilience for the wider Hawke’s Bay region and be part of a truly regional approach to economic development. This decision by Government to list the project for assessment under the Fast-Track Approvals Bill is recognition of the importance of water security and enables the project to keep moving forward.”

The TWSP group will continue to work with mana whenua and community leaders to develop the project further. This includes forming a Community Trust to jointly hold—in partnership and in Trust—the intellectual property and resource consents required to deliver this vital regional initiative, and for more detailed financial and operational planning and sourcing of additional funding to take place.

In time, this Community Trust will provide a sound governance structure to ensure a long-term and enduring view that focuses on overseeing reliable, equitable access and distribution of high-quality water to deliver the sustainable flow of environmental, economic, social and cultural benefits critical to the prosperity and wellbeing of the Hawke’s Bay region and its communities.

Petersen said:

“This is a strategic regional project that stands to deliver environmental and economic benefits for the prosperity of all, and it is critically important that we explore and develop viable and robust options to deliver water security not only for today, but for future generations to come.

“We are committed to working closely with mana whenua and our Hawke’s Bay communities, and providing critical evidence-led information to keep them informed as we move through each stage of the project.”