Buller Flood Recovery

In July 2021, heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in Westport and surrounding areas, causing widespread damage to properties, interrupting people’s lives, and shaking up our community. Further severe flooding occurred district-wide in February 2022. The February event was a combination of two consecutive weather events and caused significant damage to Westport, many farms and other areas of Buller.

For more on these Weather Events go to Weather Events

There’s been a lot of work going on to repair essential infrastructure following the floods, including wharf repairs, the Westport three waters system, Reefton stopbank and lanfdill and Tiphead repairs at the mouth of the Buller River.

Important decisions are being made about Westport and Buller’s future flood resilience. You can find out more and view videos on the science behind the flooding by clicking on Important Information.

Buller Flood recovery team members with Navigators past and present, along with representatives of local NGOs, at the Community Hub closing event on 27 January 2023.