When Cyclone Gabrielle struck Aotearoa in February 2023, it exposed the urgent need to upgrade New Zealand’s flood monitoring in the face of intensifying climate risks. The devastation in Hawke’s Bay, where rivers surged, stopbanks failed in more than 30 places, and entire communities were cut off, drove a nationwide reassessment of flood-risk detection and response systems.
Taking decisive action, Hastings District Council (HDC) partnered with engineering consultancy Beca and environmental monitoring specialists Adroit, owned by Spark NZ and operating as part of the Spark Business Group, to develop a real-time solution to increase resilience in Havelock North. This area, where five streams converge and run through densely populated urban zones, posed heightened risks during extreme weather events.
Comprehensive Monitoring for Community Confidence
The Havelock North initiative, featured in the NZ Herald, is now setting a benchmark for flood detection and emergency response in New Zealand. Thirteen out of a planned fifteen water level sensors have been deployed across the area’s streams, with the remaining two scheduled for installation once infrastructure works are complete. The sensors, installed on key bridges, deliver near real-time updates directly to a public dashboard expected to launch in September.
HDC Programme Manager Darren de Klerk emphasised how vital these real-time data streams are for both council teams and residents. The system not only offers more time to act before floodwaters rise, but also brings visibility and transparency for people living close to the streams. During severe weather, automated alerts are triggered when pre-set stream thresholds are reached, supporting emergency management teams with up-to-date information.
Smart Technology for Improved Resilience
At the core of this system are Adroit’s VEGA radar-based river level sensors. Operating on a combination of Spark’s CAT-M1 cellular network and, where necessary, satellite connectivity, these sensors sample water levels every 15 minutes. During periods of high risk, data upload frequency increases to ensure near real-time visibility. The solar-powered units are ruggedised for year-round reliability and require minimal onsite maintenance.
All sensor data is integrated into a dashboard that brings together stream heights, weather information, and dam monitoring for a unified view. Accessible by council staff and soon the public, this platform empowers the community to make informed decisions and fosters a shared sense of responsibility.
Collaboration Underpins Success
Site selection for the sensors relied on hydraulic modelling by Stantec to maximise flood risk coverage, with input from maintenance contractors to ensure practicality and safety for ongoing operations. The rollout also saw strong cooperation from private landowners, who welcomed the sensors as a benefit to the wider community.
Building Trust Through Transparency
For the Council, the benefits are clear: improved situational awareness, stronger emergency responses, and data-driven planning for future resilience. Residents, too, gain peace of mind by being able to check stream conditions in real time, fostering greater engagement and self-management. As de Klerk explains, this visibility will help people understand landscape risks and how council actions protect their communities.
A Scalable National Model
Adroit’s General Manager, Guy Macpherson, highlighted that the real innovation is not just the technology itself, but the integration of reliable sensors into a coordinated, publicly accessible communication system. The model is scalable, allowing for potential additions such as slope stability sensors, groundwater measurement, and visual verification via cameras, which further enhance environmental intelligence for emergency response and risk reduction.
By establishing this new paradigm in real-time flood risk monitoring, Hastings District Council is demonstrating how smart technology can support resilient infrastructure and empower communities - setting an example for councils and regions across New Zealand to follow.
