Our history

Waikato River Board vs drainage boards

Following major floods in 1907, the Waikato River Board was formed, along with a large number of drainage boards, to protect road and rail, free lowland flooding, and allow the drainage of extensive swamplands. However, there were constant disputes, and these occasionally had to be resolved through judicial channels. Inundation from the river made the drainage of swamps difficult. And main drains from swamps had to empty into the river but the Waikato River Board was busy protecting banks and trying to prevent flooding. A commission recommended the river board be abolished.

Waikato Valley Authority/Waikato Catchment Board

1956-1989

Major floods also occurred in 1953 and 1956. The Waikato Valley Authority was established by the Waikato Valley Authority Act, specifically to implement flood and erosion control measures in the lower Waikato area. The comprehensive Lower Waikato-Waipā Flood Protection Scheme was finally completed in 1983. Over this time, soil erosion in the upper catchment had become a problem due to large scale land development in the Lake Taupō basin and river catchment, so the authority also started work to manage soil and water quality, and effectively became New Zealand’s first generation of greenies. The Waikato Catchment Board replaced the authority in 1988, with the name change reflecting that the board took up some functions previously undertaken by the Ministry of Works and Development.

Hauraki Catchment Board

1946-1989

It’s hard to imagine the Hauraki Plains being one giant swamp and covered in kahikatea forest. For a long time, it defied attempts at settlement, with drainage work by landowners often rendered ineffective by the flooding from the Piako, Waihou and Ohinemuri rivers. Eventually the Government stepped in with schemes for the rivers, including stopbanks and canals. The Hauraki Catchment Board was set up to carry on with the schemes, which were proving their value, and oversaw the completion of the Piako River Scheme and Waihou Valley Scheme. The board was also responsible for land drainage works, soil conservation, upper catchment land retirement, water quality and the environment.

United councils

1979-1989

There were three united councils in the Waikato region: Waikato United Council, Tongariro United Council and Thames Valley United Council. For most of the country, united councils were the first regional level of government since the abolition of provinces in 1876. United councils had councillors appointed from the various territorial local authorities (TLAs) within the region and were largely reliant on the TLAs for resources. They were responsible for the coordination of civil defence and regional planning, which included social and economic wellbeing, natural resources, the environment, physical land use and development and public works. Additional responsibilities could also be given by the TLAs.

Waikato Regional Council

1 November 1989-

Forty former authorities combined to create Environment Waikato, as we were then known, in 1989. They included two catchment boards (Hauraki and Waikato), three united councils (Waikato, Thames Valley and part of Tongariro), 12 noxious plants authorities, 11 pest destruction boards and 12 drainage boards. Later, the Land Transport Act 1998 added to our responsibilities.

The regional council you see today operates quite differently to when it was first formed. We now have two Māori seats in chambers and joint management agreements with iwi. We partner with iwi and work closely with communities, the primary sector, businesses, and central and local government to sustainably manage our region’s natural resources, enabling a strong economy and a high quality of life for all.