Community invited to help shape response to rising seas
Christchurch City Council Newsline: 12th October 2026
Residents are being invited to help shape the future of the Te Onepoto Taylors Mistake to Lower Ōpāwaho Heathcote River area, as the first phase of community engagement on how the area could adapt to rising seas and coastal hazards opens.
The engagement marks the start of Christchurch City Council's next coastal hazards adaptation planning process, following its decision earlier this year to prioritise the area as the next community adaptation planning programme.
Find out more about the coastal hazards adaptation planning programme.
Residents, businesses, mana whenua, and community groups are being asked to share what matters most to them, what they value about the area, and how they think future risks to public assets and infrastructure – like roads, underground pipes, and parks – should be managed over time. Feedback is open until 31 January 2027.
Jane Morgan, Team Leader Climate Hazards Adaptation Planning, says the conversation is about understanding community priorities before any decisions are considered.
"Nothing has been decided yet. We're at the beginning of a long-term planning journey and this first phase is about listening," Ms Morgan says.
"We know people care deeply about the places they live, work, and spend time. Before we explore potential responses to coastal hazards and sea-level rise, we want to understand what matters most to the community and what people value about the area."
Adaptation planning helps communities, rūnanga, and the Council work together to understand how flooding, coastal erosion, and rising groundwater could affect an area over time, and what options may be available to reduce future risks.
Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of coastal hazards, putting increased pressure on homes, roads, parks, pipes, and other infrastructure. Rising sea levels, heavier rainfall, and more extreme weather could also lead to more frequent flooding, service disruptions, and erosion in some parts of the area.
As part of the engagement, residents can explore information about the challenges facing the area and a range of possible adaptation approaches. These include engineered measures like seawalls, flood defences, and pump stations, as well as nature-based approaches that create more space for rivers, wetlands, and the coast.
Ms Morgan says there are no simple solutions.
"There are difficult decisions ahead, and every option comes with trade-offs. Some approaches may provide more protection but cost more, while others could have impacts on the environment, access, or the way communities use certain places," she says.
"By starting these conversations early, we have more time to consider our options, understand community views, and plan thoughtfully for future generations."
The current engagement is the first step in a multi-year adaptation planning process. There will be further opportunities for people to learn more, provide feedback, and help shape future adaptation options as work progresses.
A final decision about the adaptation plan is expected in 2028.
You can have your say on this coastal adaptation consultation until 31st January 2027.