Island Block fish passage pumps

Funded: $1.68m
Total cost: $5.2m
Project starts: 2024/25
Project ends: 2026/27

This project involves replacing a 1960s pump station with a new one to increase pumping capacity to meet climate change projections. The pump station is within a catchment identified by the council as a priority for providing safe passage for eels (tuna). The new pumps will enable their safe migration to sea, while maintaining the required level of flood protection.

Project benefits
This work will reduce the likelihood of the impacts from flooding to productive farmland around Meremere and to the Whangamarino Wetland, which is a RAMSAR site with high environmental and cultural value. The Archimedes screw design of the pumps will enable safe downstream passage for tuna which migrate to sea to breed.

The infrastructure upgrade is critical for ongoing flood protection. By renewing the infrastructure with high-capacity pumps to accommodate climate change, it will continue to provide the level of protection it was designed for and agreed to by the communities at risk. 

The project allows for continued employment within the agricultural sector of this area, which in turn supports the local economy. 

This project site was prioritised for renewal as part of the council’s fish passage project, Pathways to the Sea.   

Status update:

• Concept design near completion.
• Site enabling works to be completed at the start of 2025.
• Procurement of pump is expected late 2024/25 financial year.
• Procurement of construction service expected for tender early 2025/26 financial year, for works to start in October 2025.

Island Block pump station site.