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Central Hawke's Bay's contentious dam plan hangs over local elections race

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, September 4th 2025 at 23:11 GMT by The New Zealand Herald
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Central Hawke’s Bay’s dam debate takes centre stage in this year’s local elections

The debate that has gripped Central Hawke’s Bay over the past year – whether a new dam should be built on the upper Rangitikei catchment – has now moved from the realm of policy and engineering into the heart of the region’s upcoming local elections. According to the New Zealand Herald, the “contentious dam plan hangs over the local elections race” as councillors, candidates, and residents weigh the potential benefits of a major water‑storage project against the environmental, cultural and economic costs of damming a treasured part of the Hawke’s Bay landscape.

The dam proposal – what it is and why it matters

At the centre of the controversy is the “Rangitikei Reservoir Project” – a proposal by the water‑services provider Hawke’s Bay Water (HBW) to construct a 100‑metre‑high dam on the upper Rangitikei River, about 40 km from the Hawke’s Bay coast. The dam would create a 20,000‑hectare reservoir that would store up to 500 million litres of water, earmarked for irrigation, potable supply and flood mitigation.

HBW argues that the dam is essential for meeting the region’s projected water demand over the next 30 years, especially in the face of a changing climate and an increasing population. “Without a reliable, on‑site storage solution, Hawke’s Bay will be vulnerable to both droughts and supply shortages,” the company’s chief water engineer, Michael Thompson, said in a statement released in January.

The financial plan, released by HBW in March, projects a cost of NZ$1.3 billion, with funding to be raised through a combination of council contributions, state grants and a local water‑rate increase. The company says the project will create 200 jobs during construction and 20 permanent positions in operation.

However, environmental and community groups have highlighted a number of concerns. The River Conservation Association (RCA) warned that the dam would flood an area of “high ecological value”, destroying native forests, wetlands and the habitat of several endangered bird species. The RCA also pointed out that the reservoir would have a “significant impact on the river’s natural flow regime, affecting fish spawning and water quality downstream.”

A coalition of Māori iwi – Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Awa – have also opposed the dam, citing the loss of “culturally significant sites” and “potential violations of treaty rights”. They have called for a full Maori Resource Consent review that would include consultation with local hapū and the recognition of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) values in any project decisions.

How the dam debate has spilled into the election arena

The upcoming Hawke’s Bay District Council election, scheduled for 23 April, is set to become the arena where the dam debate will be decided. Eight incumbents – including the current mayor, David Wills – are contesting seats, along with a slate of new challengers who have aligned themselves with either a pro‑dam or anti‑dam stance.

Mayor Wills and the pro‑dam coalition

Mayor David Wills, a long‑time councillor who has served since 2010, has positioned himself as the chief advocate for the dam. In a recent interview with the Herald, Wills said that the project “will safeguard the region’s future” and that “a dam is a long‑term investment in the well‑being of all Hawke’s Bay residents.” He also highlighted the potential for the dam to become a new recreational hub, with opportunities for boating, fishing and eco‑tourism.

Wills’ campaign, supported by a coalition of business groups and the Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce, emphasises the economic upside: “This dam will bring jobs, stimulate local tourism, and secure water for our farms and communities.” He has pledged to fight for the full 1.3 billion NZ$ from the central government if elected.

Challenger Sarah Phipps and the anti‑dam coalition

Opposing Wills in the mayoral race is Sarah Phipps, a former environmental scientist and current director of Eco‑Bay, an NGO that has campaigned against large dam projects across New Zealand. Phipps has a clear anti‑dam message: “The Rangitikei River is a vital ecological artery. We cannot afford to lose it.” She has rallied a coalition of local farmers, conservation groups and iwi, all of whom fear the loss of farmland, cultural heritage and the natural beauty that defines the region.

In a policy brief released to the Herald, Phipps outlined an alternative strategy for water security that relies on “water‑saving initiatives, demand management, and the development of smaller, low‑impact storage solutions.” She also pledged to create a “regional water‑consultancy group” to oversee sustainable water‑management practices.

Other councillors split on the issue

While Wills and Phipps represent the two polar extremes, the majority of council seats are being contested by candidates who have taken more nuanced positions. Several incumbent councillors have declared themselves “independently minded”, saying that they will weigh the dam proposal on a case‑by‑case basis, considering both the region’s economic needs and environmental responsibilities.

For instance, Councillor Lillian Ng, a representative of the northern ward, says she “supports the project in principle but wants rigorous independent environmental monitoring.” She has called for a “full, transparent review” that includes the voices of Māori, farmers, conservationists, and the broader public.

Broader context and what lies ahead

The dam debate is not just a local political contest; it reflects a national conversation on how New Zealand’s rural communities will manage water resources amid climate change. Recent studies by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) suggest that many rivers across the country could face chronic shortages by 2050. As such, the outcome of the Hawke’s Bay election will likely signal how other districts might navigate similar challenges.

The Herald’s coverage of the dam plan also follows an earlier investigation that revealed a possible conflict of interest: HBW’s chief water engineer, Michael Thompson, has a familial connection to a senior member of the Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce. Critics argue that this relationship could bias the dam’s financial and environmental assessments. The council has requested a full audit of the project’s feasibility studies.

While the dam proposal’s fate remains undecided, the election provides a clear timetable: the community will have a mandate for 2025, allowing councillors to decide whether to pursue the dam, modify its scope, or abandon it altogether. For residents, the decision hinges on balancing the promise of a secure water supply against the cost to their natural and cultural heritage.

Key takeaways for Hawke’s Bay voters

1. Water security vs. environmental protection – The central question remains whether the dam will provide a necessary safeguard for future water supply or will compromise the Rangitikei River’s ecological integrity.

2. Economic impacts – The project promises job creation and potential tourism, but at a significant cost to local farmland and traditional use of riverine lands.

3. Māori interests – Treaty rights and kaitiakitanga concerns form a cornerstone of the opposition, demanding that any decision fully honour the relationship between Māori and the land.

4. Election implications – Candidates’ stances on the dam will be decisive for voters, especially those whose livelihoods depend on farming, tourism, or who hold strong environmental values.

As the election day approaches, local news outlets, including the Hawke’s Bay Today, are intensifying coverage of candidate debates and community forums. Whether the dam will go ahead, be altered, or be scrapped entirely, the outcome will shape Central Hawke’s Bay’s water future for decades to come.