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25-26 November 2024 | Aotea Centre, Auckland

Register

Floods, Erosion & Catchment Management

Delivering solutions to safeguard New Zealand

The Floods, Erosion & Catchment Management conference convenes experts, policy makers, and stakeholders from diverse fields to address critical issues related to flood resilience, erosion control, and sustainable catchment management. By fostering collaboration among stakeholders, promoting knowledge sharing, and showcasing best practices, the conference contributes to building a more resilient and sustainable future and safeguarding New Zealand’s communities and landscapes in the face of growing environmental challenges.

Reasons to attend:

  • Gain insights into the latest research, technologies, and methodologies in flood management, erosion control, and catchment management from leading experts in the field
  • Connect with passionate professionals and thought leaders
  • Understand current trends in policy and planning
  • Learn about new methods to improve flood forecasting and erosion monitoring
  • Learn from New Zealand’s unique approaches and experiences
  • Explore real-world case studies and success stories offering practical insights and lessons that can be applied to your own work

8:30

Registration and Coffee

8:45

Mihi Whakatau


Opening remarks from the Chair

9:10

Strengthening watershed management: Insights and planning for NZ floods, erosion, and catchment challenges

  • Discussing the importance of watershed management in addressing flood, erosion, and catchment challenges

  • Overviewing existing flood and erosion data and identification of vulnerable catchment areas

  • Exploring the need for and importance of integrated planning

  • Incorporating climate change considerations in the data

  • Highlighting the successful strategies for flood and erosion mitigation

  • The best practices and lessons learned from previous flood events

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9:50

Addressing environmental risks and adaptive management: the legal perspective

  • Discussing the importance of the language of risk and resource management responses to address flood risks

  • Exploring the interconnectedness of relevant regulatory risk management provisions in a catchment context

  • Implications of legislative and system reform in emergency management

  • Address the legal gaps and compliance issues

Dr Royden Somerville KC, Barrister, Barristers Chambers

10:30

Morning refreshments

11:00

From Risk to Resilience: an update on RMA advancements in flood prevention and Infrastructure

  • An update on recent advancements and strategies implemented under the Resource Management Act (RMA) aimed at enhancing flood prevention and infrastructure resilience

  • Discussing case studies, innovations, and policy frameworks contributing to improved flood management and resilient infrastructure development

  • Policies and strategies under the RMA to address changing environmental conditions

  • Exploring innovative technologies used in flood prediction, monitoring, and early warning systems

  • Examples of infrastructure projects supported by the RMA aimed at enhancing resilience

Sue Simons, Founding Partner, Berry Simons

11:40

Investing in flood protection: New Zealand’s Regional Infrastructure Fund

  • Overview of the RIF and its purpose

  • Discussing flood resilience as the initial focus area of RIF

  • Understanding RIF’s commitment to regional growth, resilience, and productivity

  • Discussing the importance of both new infrastructure development and improvements to existing structures

  • Highlighting flood resilience projects

  • Discussing the need for collaboration and co-investment to accelerate flood protection efforts

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12:20

Integrated catchment modelling for flood prediction in New Zealand

  • Discuss the importance of integrated catchment modelling for flood prediction

  • Overview of New Zealand’s diverse landscapes and hydrological challenges they present for modelling and prediction

  • Discuss data collection and calibration

  • Overview of hydrological models and modelling techniques

  • Importance of predictive capabilities: Assessing flood flows under different scenarios (land use changes, climate variations)

  • Discuss land use planning and flood risk assessment

  • Using modelling to inform emergency response planning and evacuation strategies

Bronwyn Rhynd, Director, CKL

Zeb Worth, Principal Environmental Engineer, CKL

13:00

Lunch

14:00

Panel Discussion: Flood risk assessment and mitigation strategies: Explore innovative approaches to flood risk assessment and management

  • Importance of proactive flood risk assessment and mitigation

  • Discussing the differences between localised and riverine flooding. Understand its impact on communities, infrastructure, and the environment

  • Discussing structural mitigation strategies - Floodwalls, seawalls, and levees 

  • Discussing non-structural measures such as:

- Property buyouts and permanent relocation from risk areas
- Elevated structures and zoning regulations
- Building codes for flood-resistant construction

  • Discussing green infrastructure solutions

  • Discussing innovative approaches

- Probabilistic models and machine learning for flood forecasting
- Geospatial data-driven risk assessment for urban areas 

Chantez Connor-Kingi, Kai whiri iwitunaSenior Advisor – Rivers & Natural Hazards, Northland Regional Council

Fiona MacDonald, Principal – Flood Risk, Auckland Council

Dr Chris Batstone, Senior Research Associate, Lincoln University

14:40

Enhancing land use practices in New Zealand for flood protection, erosion prevention, and improved catchment management

  • Highlighting the importance of sustainable land use practices to address flood risks, erosion, and water management

  • Exploring flood-prone regions in New Zealand and their vulnerability and discussing the concept of land use planning for flood protection

  • Discussing effective erosion control measures, such as reforestation, riparian buffers, and terracing

  • Discussing catchment management and water quality. Highlight sustainable land use practices that minimize runoff and pollution

Daniel Harrison, Director - Operations, Taranaki Regional Council

15:20

Afternoon break

15:40

Beneath the surface: Groundwater’s influence on urban flooding patterns

  • Defining urban flooding and its impact on communities 

  • Highlighting the economic and social consequences of flooding in urban areas 

  • Understanding the role of climate change in exacerbating flood risks

  • Explaining how urban flooding occurs when stormwater exceeds drainage system capacity

  • Discussing factors such as heavy rainfall, storm surge, and high tides

  • Emphasising the importance of groundwater infiltration and drainage systems

  • Describe how impervious surfaces (e.g., pavement, buildings) reduce groundwater infiltration

  • Discussing the effect of urbanization on peak flow, flood volume, and groundwater extraction

  • Discussing strategies for sustainable urban planning, green infrastructure, and flood resilience

Helen Rutter, Senior Research Scientist, Lincoln Agritech 

16:20

Natural based solutions for coastal erosion and flooding events

  • Aims of natural-based solutions in a coastal setting

  • Types of natural-based solutions for coastal environments

  • The role of engineering in hybrid solutions

  • The likely challenges for natural-based solutions with climate change 

  • International Examples 

  • New Zealand examples and opportunities

Todd Derek, Principal Coastal and Hazards Scientist, Jacobs New Zealand   

17:00

Summary remarks from the Chair & Networking Drinks 

8:50

Registration and Coffee

9:00

Welcome back remarks from the Chair

9:10

Integrating climate change scenarios for effective flooding, erosion and catchment Management

  • Understanding the impact of climate change on flooding, erosion, and catchment management

  • Exploring methods and tools for integrating climate change scenarios into management strategies

  • Discussing case studies and best practices for effective implementation

Matt Raeburn, Principal – Climate Change and Sustainability - Asia-Pacific Climate Scenarios and Disclosures lead, WSP

9:50

A Shared Future: working with communities to adapt to a changing climate

  • Discussing climate change and its impact on communities

  • Discussing the key challenges and benefits of community engagement

  • Discussing the best-practice principles, tools, and case studies for community engagement in climate adaptation

Bruce Glavovic, Professor- School of People, Environment and Planning, Massey University

10:30

Morning refreshments

11:00

Panel Discussion: Integrated early warning systems for resilient flood, erosion, and catchment management

  • Understanding early warning systems: Definitions and core competencies

  • Dispelling common myths about early warnings and the importance of an integrated and all-society approach

  • Numerical modelling in early warning systems

  • Discussing the benefits and challenges of incorporating numerical simulations

  • The Importance of community engagement and resilience building

  • Aligning technical systems with overall flood and drought management policies

Mitchell Anderson, Managing Director, Urban Intelligence

Further panellists to be confirmed

11:40

Urban sustainable drainage systems for NZ Cities

  • Highlight the purpose of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS)

  • Importance of managing surface water sustainably in urban areas

  • Benefits of SuDS for cities in New Zealand

  • Discuss the Components of SuDS

- Permeable paving
- Green roofs and rain gardens
- Swales and bio-retention basins

  • Discuss site- specific considerations and integration with existing infrastructure

  • Case studies of some successful SuDS projects in New Zealand cities

  • Discuss local regulations and guidelines supporting SuDS adoption

Peter Christensen, Technical Director – Surface Water, Storm Environmental

12:20

Lunch break

13:20

WaterCity: Innovations in urban flood management

  • Defining the concept and critical principles of flood-resilient cities and their role in sustainable urban development

  • How green infrastructure and nature-based solutions can be used to mitigate the effects of urban flooding

  • Presenting real-world examples of nature-based solutions, such as naturalised rivers and constructed wetlands in Europe, China and NZ

  • Highlighting the benefits of the flood-resilient city, including flood reduction, improved water quality, ecological restoration, increased biodiversity, and the creation of new public space

  • Address the challenges of implementation costs, maintenance, and community engagement

  • Discussing the impact of flood-resilient city strategies on future urban form

  • What happens when green infrastructure isn't enough? Will managed retreat help save our cities?

Matthew Bradbury, Associate Professor- School of Architecture, UNITEC

14:00

Insurance strategies for mitigating Flood risks in vulnerable catchments

  • Explore the unique challenges posed by flood risks in vulnerable catchments. Discuss the factors contributing to increased vulnerability

  • Discuss the current insurance practices and their effectiveness in managing flood risks

  • Analysis of challenges such as affordability, coverage limitations, and risk assessment accuracy 

  • Discuss innovative insurance practices

  • Case studies of successful & unsuccessful insurance approaches

Kali Mercier, Deputy Director, Helen Clark Foundation

14:40

Learning from past floods: Impact assessment and emergency preparedness

  • Discussing the importance of analysing past flood events for better preparedness 

  • Exploring notable flood events in New Zealand and discuss their impact on communities, infrastructure, and the environment 

  • Discussing the methods for assessing the consequences of floods 

  • Discussing risk factors and vulnerabilities specific to New Zealand (e.g., coastal areas, river systems 

  • Evaluating existing warning systems based on historical data 

  • Discussing improvements and challenges 

  • Analysing what worked well and areas for improvement 

  • Discussing the importance of emergency plans, communication channels, and coordination 

  • Highlighting the importance of inter-agency cooperation during flood response and briefly explain the roles and responsibilities of emergency services

Jon Rix, Principal Flood Risk Consultant, Tonkin + Taylor

15:00

Summary remarks from the Chair and end of the conference

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Speakers

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Matt Raeburn

Principal – Climate Change & Sustainability, Asia-Pacific Climate Scenarios and Disclosures lead
WSP
Matt is WSP’s Climate Scenarios and Disclosures lead, Asia-Pacific, and a Principal – Climate Change with the firm’s Strategic Advisory team.  With 18 years of experience – including from EY, Beca, the Ministry for the Environment’s (MfE’s) Sustainable Finance and Adaptation teams, and the US Postal Service as its lead environmental counsel – Matt brings insights into climate change strategy that few specialists can claim. Matt immigrated with his family from Portland, Oregon, to Auckland in 2016. He now calls Pōneke Wellington home. 

Fiona MacDonald

Principal - Flood Risk
Auckland Council
Bio is coming soon…

Chantez Connor-Kingi

Kai whiri iwituna\Senior Advisor – Rivers and Natural Hazards
Northland Regional Council

Daniel Harrison

Director - Operations
Taranaki Regional Council

Peter Christensen

Technical Director – Surface Water
Storm Environmental

Mitchell Anderson

Managing Director
Urban Intelligence

Bronwyn Rhynd

Director
CKL

Jon Rix

Principal Flood Risk Consultant
Tonkin + Taylor

Zeb Worth

Principal Environmental Engineer
CKL

Derek Todd

Principal Coastal and Hazards Scientist
Jacobs New Zealand

Matthew Bradbury

Associate Professor- School of Architecture
UNITEC

Bruce Glavovic

Professor- School of People, Environment and Planning
Massey University

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  • Gain insights into the latest research, technologies, and methodologies in flood management, erosion control, and catchment management from leading experts in the field
  • Connect with passionate professionals and thought leaders
  • Understand current trends in policy and planning
  • Learn about new methods to improve flood forecasting and erosion monitoring
  • Learn from New Zealand’s unique approaches and experiences
  • Explore real-world case studies and success stories offering practical insights and lessons that can be applied to your own work

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