- Referred
- Applied
- Comments
- Panel considering
- Decision
Project summary
The project is to construct and operate a water storage scheme located at and adjacent to Tangihanga Station, Tangihanga, and an associated water distribution system in the Gisborne region.
The project involves constructing a dam to form a new large-capacity reservoir with a footprint of up to 300 hectares on the Pouarua Stream, and a water distribution system extending throughout the district located within road reserve. The preferred dam configuration consists of a zoned earth embankment structure with height ranging from approximately 34 to 39 meters and crest length between approximately 190 to 230 meters. The projected normal top water level ranges from 60 to 65 meters above sea level, creating a reservoir storage capacity between approximately 25.1 and 38.6 million cubic meters respectively.
The reservoir would store water collected from local catchment runoff and from pumping water currently available for allocation from the Waipaoa River during high river flow periods. Stored water would then be released when demand is high or during dry-year water restrictions to a downstream water distribution system for a range of potential uses.
Additional main elements of the project could include:
associated hydraulic structures
a control room and equipment building
a pump station and associated building, mechanical and electrical equipment
a sedimentation and storage holding pond if required
a rising main up to 4.5 kilometres long
power supplies from existing network, augmented by other sources if required
a new permanent access road.
Project location
The project is located in Tangihanga, in the Gisborne region.
Project referral
The Minister for Infrastructure referred the project to the Fast-track on 29 August 2026. The application was lodged on 22 May 2026.