Students focus on Masterton flood-risk

Part of a new flood risk map issued by Greater Wellinton Regional Council, showing previously identified flood risks in yellow, and a current estimate of a 100-year flood spread in green.

A group of Victoria University students have been given free rein to come up with a plan to help manage flood risk along the banks of the Waipoua River.

A group of about 20 third-year landscape architecture students are using the Waipoua River as a case study for their end-of-year project, and have been tasked with finding ways to increase economic development, as well making the area more resilient to flooding.

The students work in collaboration with Greater Wellington Regional Council that provides them with data, budgeting guidance and local knowledge.

Regional council senior project engineer Alistair Allan said the students attended a workshop in Masterton where they met prominent members of the community such as Ra Smith and Bob Francis.

The workshop was designed to help students understand local identity in Wairarapa, Mr Allan said.

The students will work in pairs, some focusing on environmental solutions such as wetland planting, and others on town planning and economic development.

They will be exploring the town and talking to residents as part of the project.

While some of the ideas might be a "bit wacky" or "left field", hopefully others could be worth looking into, Mr Allan said.

"They sometimes identify things which are useful to explore further ... they've been given free rein to explore and interpret Masterton and its identity."

It was always useful to hear from people who were "looking at the world in a different way", he said.