Southland Launches Major $18M Flood Defence Upgrade to Protect Residents

“The Mataura River flood resilience infrastructure upgrade is about safeguarding the long-term prosperity of the region,” Mr Patterson said.

Southland is embarking on one of the most ambitious flood resilience upgrades in its history, with construction now officially underway on a major infrastructure programme designed to shield thousands of residents, critical businesses and productive farmland from the escalating threat of extreme weather events.

Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson visited Mataura today to mark the beginning of the transformative project, which is being backed by a $10.8 million loan from the Government's Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) — one of the largest flood resilience investments made through the fund to date.

The Mataura River flood protection improvements project represents a significant step forward in climate adaptation and regional resilience planning, combining upgraded stopbanks, engineered rock protection systems and strategic river management works to strengthen the long-term safety and economic stability of Southland communities.

"The Mataura River flood resilience infrastructure upgrade is about safeguarding the long-term prosperity of the region," Mr Patterson said.

"This investment is not just about responding to past floods — it is about preparing Southland for the future. Climate pressures are intensifying, severe rainfall events are becoming more frequent, and communities need modern infrastructure capable of protecting lives, homes, businesses and vital regional connections."

The $18 million project, co-funded by Environment Southland with a $7.2 million contribution, will deliver upgraded flood protection for the neighbouring towns of Mataura and Gore, both situated along the flood-prone Mataura River.

Once completed, the project is expected to provide enhanced flood resilience for more than 7,000 residents, protect over 1,500 hectares of productive agricultural land and safeguard approximately $803 million in capital assets, including residential housing, commercial properties, schools, transport corridors and community infrastructure.

Regional leaders say the project reflects a growing national focus on proactive infrastructure resilience as New Zealand faces increasing climate-related weather risks.

Engineering works will include the construction of reinforced rock walls, new stopbanks, strengthening and extension of existing floodbanks, as well as targeted gravel extraction and riverbed management works designed to improve river flow performance through Gore and Mataura.

The project also incorporates modern river engineering approaches aimed at improving long-term flood management efficiency while minimising environmental disruption.

Southland has experienced some of New Zealand's most damaging flood events over recent decades, with the catastrophic 1984 floods remaining deeply etched in the region's memory. More recently, widespread flooding in 2020 forced evacuations across the province, inundated farmland and caused extensive infrastructure damage.

Mr Patterson said those experiences underline the importance of investing in preventative infrastructure before disaster strikes.

"Communities across Southland know firsthand how devastating flooding can be — economically, socially and emotionally. Projects like this are essential because they reduce future recovery costs, strengthen local confidence and help communities continue to grow safely."

Beyond flood protection, the project is also expected to deliver a substantial economic boost during construction, supporting up to 37 full-time jobs and creating opportunities for local contractors, engineers, transport operators and suppliers.

Industry experts increasingly view resilient infrastructure investment as critical to regional economic security, particularly in agricultural regions where severe flooding can disrupt supply chains, damage productive land and isolate communities.

The Mataura project forms part of a broader Southland flood resilience strategy funded through the Regional Infrastructure Fund. Since the programme was launched, the Government has committed $18.5 million across five major Southland resilience initiatives.

These include:

• Ōreti River Catchment Flood Protection Upgrade Project — $3 million

• Aparima Catchment Flood Protection Scheme Upgrade — $300,000 (completed)

• Te Anau Basin Catchment Flood Management Project — $300,000

• Mataura River flood protection improvements (Gore and Mataura) — $10.8 million

• Invercargill and Ōreti flood resilience stopbank upgrades — $4.1 million

Regional authorities say the combined programme represents one of the most significant coordinated flood resilience investments Southland has seen in decades.

As climate adaptation becomes an increasingly urgent national priority, the Mataura River project is expected to serve as a model for future regional resilience infrastructure across New Zealand — combining economic protection, community safety and long-term environmental planning into a single integrated flood management strategy.

Construction work is now underway and will continue in stages across the Mataura River corridor.