Flood maps

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Feedback has concluded

House with flooded garden out the front.


Thanks for helping us improve our flood models with your local knowledge

Ngā mihi (thank you) to the 180+ people we had face-to-face conversations with at our draft flood map drop-ins and to those who have provided their feedback via our Have Your Say platform, in hard copy and by email. Feedback has now closed.

It’ll take time to work through the feedback; this includes touching base with those with particular queries about the maps and their properties. Where new evidence indicates a need, we’ll adjust the map details. We’ll also update the models with the latest LiDAR and other changes such as stormwater upgrades. The existing rules in the Council’s operative District Plan continue to apply until a flood hazard plan change is publicly notified.

What happens next?

  • We'll report to Council a summary of changes and any implications.
  • Publish final maps. Updated maps will appear on our online mapping portal, ensuring the public has access to the most accurate information possible. This may include the latest LiDAR information.
  • Eventually, we'll use the maps to inform decisions about stormwater upgrades.

In the future, Council will update the Kāpiti Coast District Plan to reflect the finalised flood model, including the updated flood mapping of major rivers and streams currently being prepared by Greater Wellington Regional Council. The separate plan change process will include its own public consultation, in accordance with the requirements of the Resource Management Act (RMA). 

Keen to stay updated? Register to join the conversation, and sign up for Everything Kāpiti, to get the latest on what's happening across our district straight to your inbox – including events, grant funding opportunities, and other ways you can get involved.


About our flood model update

We live in a district shaped by rivers, low-land sand dunes, and peatlands – making Kāpiti naturally prone to flooding. As our community grows and we experience more extreme rainfall events, it’s more important than ever to understand where floods might happen, how severe they could be, and how we can best plan for them. 

We asked for your feedback on our draft flood maps to make sure they reflect what you see and experience at your place and local areas of interest – whether that’s drainage features in your neighbourhood, historic flooding you’ve witnessed, or unique property characteristics our modelling might have missed.

Your input is an important part of reviewing the maps. Where new evidence indicates a need, we’ll adjust the flood models behind the maps before we finalise them. 

We last updated our flood maps in 2011 based on modelling from 2010 LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data and 2007 climate change predictions.

Our updated maps model potential impacts from a major rainfall event that has a one percent chance of occurring in any year (often referred to as a 1-in-100-year storm). They show a 100-year rainfall event under current climate conditions, and climate change +1.8oC and +3.7oC scenarios.

Together these scenarios provide us with an understanding of potential flood risks, both in the present and having regard to potential climate change. These scenarios will enable us to plan and respond effectively to whatever the future brings. The range of climate scenarios gives an envelope of impact, where we finally land with respect to climate change will likely fall somewhere between current climate and 3.7oC of warming.

Our draft maps are more refined than our current maps, which means they pick up more ground-level detail. They also include areas we haven’t modelled before and reflect major infrastructure projects such as stormwater network upgrades and State Highway 1 improvements including the Kāpiti Expressway and Transmission Gully.

Did you receive a letter in the mail? Find out why your property is shown as potentially flood-prone.

Local flooding outside a property in KāpitiHow we use flood models

We use flood hazard modelling to help determine the likely impact of extreme rainfall on our local drainage and stormwater networks and streams, and associated flooding should these systems become overwhelmed. 

The updated flood models will help us plan and prioritise stormwater upgrades, make more informed planning and development decisions, assist with emergency management planning, and provide residents with local flood risk insights.

These draft models don’t replace the existing rules in Council’s operative District Plan. A flood hazard plan change would require a separate public process under the Resource Management Act.

How you could have your say

We asked for your feedback on our draft flood maps to ensure they accurately reflect local flood behaviour, ground features, and built infrastructure.

Screenshot of the Flood Model Update Storymap showing title and section of a flood mapStep 1: Explore our StoryMap

Everything you need to know can be found on our StoryMap. It outlines in more detail the history of flooding in our district, explains the evolution of flood modelling, and details how our updated model was built. Learn how to use our Maps Portal where you can compare new flood maps with existing District Plan maps.

Learn more on our StoryMap


Screenshot of the Maps Portal showing a flood map Step 2: View your property on our Maps Portal

Search for specific properties and see how 100-year rainfall events under current climate conditions, and climate change +1.8oC and +3.7oC impact your property and areas of interest on our Maps portal. You can see how different climate change scenarios might affect flooding depths and extents in the future and switch on contour information under the 'Map Layers' button, to better understand the relationship of local topography with flood risks. In addition to helping us refine the model, the Map Portal will provide useful information to help you make informed decisions about your property.

Please note: These flood maps provide preliminary detail on how water moves across the landscape than previous maps. We’ve filtered out some minor features (depths <50mm) to focus on more significant flooding. Please let us know if you notice any inconsistencies in the maps before the consultation closes on Sunday 8 June 2025.

Search your property on our Maps Portal


Step 3: Watch our webinar replay or you could attend one of our drop-in sessions

Your input is an important part of reviewing the maps before we finalise the modelling behind them. You could speak with one of our team in person to better understand the flood maps, what to look and how it impacts your property, at one of our drop-in sessions:

  • Saturday 10 May, 10am–12 midday: Council Chambers, 175 Rimu Road, Paraparaumu
  • Tuesday 13 May, 4.30-6.30pm: St Peter’s Hall, Beach Road, Paekākāriki
  • Saturday 17 May, 10am–12 midday: Memorial Hall Supper Room, 69 Main Street, Ōtaki
  • Tuesday 20 May, 4.30-6.30pm: Te Raukura ki Kāpiti, 34A Raumati Road, Raumati Beach
  • Saturday 24 May, 10am–12 midday: Waikanae Community Centre, 28 Utauta Street, Waikanae

You can also watch our webinar replay from Wednesday 7 May where we discussed flood modelling and what it's used for, demonstrated how to view the flood maps and what to look for, and answered your questions.

Watch the webinar replay


Step 4: Share information that will help us refine the maps before we finalise them

Useful information that will help us refine the maps included:

  • historic flood photos: share pictures of past flooding on or near your property (including date, time and location)
  • land features not in the model: let us know about buildings, retaining walls or private drains on your property that the model may not reflect.
  • certified ground surveys: if you believe our model has the wrong ground-level data for your property, a recent certified survey may be needed.
    Contact our Stormwater and Assets team by emailing flooding@kapiticoast.govt.nz or calling 0800 486 486 before arranging a survey to learn more about this process.

If you believe the maps don’t match what you see on your property or local areas of interest, you could share this information with us by:

It may take us some time to work through all the responses and we'll be in touch if there is a need or when we have an update.

Feedback closed at 11.59pm Sunday 8 June 2025.

Share your feedback



Need more info or assistance?

Greater Wellington Regional Council flood maps and models 

Please note, Greater Wellington Regional Council (GW) is currently updating their flood model for major rivers and streams. Their process differs to ours where they will test their models based on historic river flood events for the Ōtaki, Waitohu, Mangaone, Mangapouri and Waikanae catchments. For more information on GW’s project visit haveyoursay.gw.govt.nz 

House with flooded garden out the front.


Thanks for helping us improve our flood models with your local knowledge

Ngā mihi (thank you) to the 180+ people we had face-to-face conversations with at our draft flood map drop-ins and to those who have provided their feedback via our Have Your Say platform, in hard copy and by email. Feedback has now closed.

It’ll take time to work through the feedback; this includes touching base with those with particular queries about the maps and their properties. Where new evidence indicates a need, we’ll adjust the map details. We’ll also update the models with the latest LiDAR and other changes such as stormwater upgrades. The existing rules in the Council’s operative District Plan continue to apply until a flood hazard plan change is publicly notified.

What happens next?

  • We'll report to Council a summary of changes and any implications.
  • Publish final maps. Updated maps will appear on our online mapping portal, ensuring the public has access to the most accurate information possible. This may include the latest LiDAR information.
  • Eventually, we'll use the maps to inform decisions about stormwater upgrades.

In the future, Council will update the Kāpiti Coast District Plan to reflect the finalised flood model, including the updated flood mapping of major rivers and streams currently being prepared by Greater Wellington Regional Council. The separate plan change process will include its own public consultation, in accordance with the requirements of the Resource Management Act (RMA). 

Keen to stay updated? Register to join the conversation, and sign up for Everything Kāpiti, to get the latest on what's happening across our district straight to your inbox – including events, grant funding opportunities, and other ways you can get involved.


About our flood model update

We live in a district shaped by rivers, low-land sand dunes, and peatlands – making Kāpiti naturally prone to flooding. As our community grows and we experience more extreme rainfall events, it’s more important than ever to understand where floods might happen, how severe they could be, and how we can best plan for them. 

We asked for your feedback on our draft flood maps to make sure they reflect what you see and experience at your place and local areas of interest – whether that’s drainage features in your neighbourhood, historic flooding you’ve witnessed, or unique property characteristics our modelling might have missed.

Your input is an important part of reviewing the maps. Where new evidence indicates a need, we’ll adjust the flood models behind the maps before we finalise them. 

We last updated our flood maps in 2011 based on modelling from 2010 LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data and 2007 climate change predictions.

Our updated maps model potential impacts from a major rainfall event that has a one percent chance of occurring in any year (often referred to as a 1-in-100-year storm). They show a 100-year rainfall event under current climate conditions, and climate change +1.8oC and +3.7oC scenarios.

Together these scenarios provide us with an understanding of potential flood risks, both in the present and having regard to potential climate change. These scenarios will enable us to plan and respond effectively to whatever the future brings. The range of climate scenarios gives an envelope of impact, where we finally land with respect to climate change will likely fall somewhere between current climate and 3.7oC of warming.

Our draft maps are more refined than our current maps, which means they pick up more ground-level detail. They also include areas we haven’t modelled before and reflect major infrastructure projects such as stormwater network upgrades and State Highway 1 improvements including the Kāpiti Expressway and Transmission Gully.

Did you receive a letter in the mail? Find out why your property is shown as potentially flood-prone.

Local flooding outside a property in KāpitiHow we use flood models

We use flood hazard modelling to help determine the likely impact of extreme rainfall on our local drainage and stormwater networks and streams, and associated flooding should these systems become overwhelmed. 

The updated flood models will help us plan and prioritise stormwater upgrades, make more informed planning and development decisions, assist with emergency management planning, and provide residents with local flood risk insights.

These draft models don’t replace the existing rules in Council’s operative District Plan. A flood hazard plan change would require a separate public process under the Resource Management Act.

How you could have your say

We asked for your feedback on our draft flood maps to ensure they accurately reflect local flood behaviour, ground features, and built infrastructure.

Screenshot of the Flood Model Update Storymap showing title and section of a flood mapStep 1: Explore our StoryMap

Everything you need to know can be found on our StoryMap. It outlines in more detail the history of flooding in our district, explains the evolution of flood modelling, and details how our updated model was built. Learn how to use our Maps Portal where you can compare new flood maps with existing District Plan maps.

Learn more on our StoryMap


Screenshot of the Maps Portal showing a flood map Step 2: View your property on our Maps Portal

Search for specific properties and see how 100-year rainfall events under current climate conditions, and climate change +1.8oC and +3.7oC impact your property and areas of interest on our Maps portal. You can see how different climate change scenarios might affect flooding depths and extents in the future and switch on contour information under the 'Map Layers' button, to better understand the relationship of local topography with flood risks. In addition to helping us refine the model, the Map Portal will provide useful information to help you make informed decisions about your property.

Please note: These flood maps provide preliminary detail on how water moves across the landscape than previous maps. We’ve filtered out some minor features (depths <50mm) to focus on more significant flooding. Please let us know if you notice any inconsistencies in the maps before the consultation closes on Sunday 8 June 2025.

Search your property on our Maps Portal


Step 3: Watch our webinar replay or you could attend one of our drop-in sessions

Your input is an important part of reviewing the maps before we finalise the modelling behind them. You could speak with one of our team in person to better understand the flood maps, what to look and how it impacts your property, at one of our drop-in sessions:

  • Saturday 10 May, 10am–12 midday: Council Chambers, 175 Rimu Road, Paraparaumu
  • Tuesday 13 May, 4.30-6.30pm: St Peter’s Hall, Beach Road, Paekākāriki
  • Saturday 17 May, 10am–12 midday: Memorial Hall Supper Room, 69 Main Street, Ōtaki
  • Tuesday 20 May, 4.30-6.30pm: Te Raukura ki Kāpiti, 34A Raumati Road, Raumati Beach
  • Saturday 24 May, 10am–12 midday: Waikanae Community Centre, 28 Utauta Street, Waikanae

You can also watch our webinar replay from Wednesday 7 May where we discussed flood modelling and what it's used for, demonstrated how to view the flood maps and what to look for, and answered your questions.

Watch the webinar replay


Step 4: Share information that will help us refine the maps before we finalise them

Useful information that will help us refine the maps included:

  • historic flood photos: share pictures of past flooding on or near your property (including date, time and location)
  • land features not in the model: let us know about buildings, retaining walls or private drains on your property that the model may not reflect.
  • certified ground surveys: if you believe our model has the wrong ground-level data for your property, a recent certified survey may be needed.
    Contact our Stormwater and Assets team by emailing flooding@kapiticoast.govt.nz or calling 0800 486 486 before arranging a survey to learn more about this process.

If you believe the maps don’t match what you see on your property or local areas of interest, you could share this information with us by:

It may take us some time to work through all the responses and we'll be in touch if there is a need or when we have an update.

Feedback closed at 11.59pm Sunday 8 June 2025.

Share your feedback



Need more info or assistance?

Greater Wellington Regional Council flood maps and models 

Please note, Greater Wellington Regional Council (GW) is currently updating their flood model for major rivers and streams. Their process differs to ours where they will test their models based on historic river flood events for the Ōtaki, Waitohu, Mangaone, Mangapouri and Waikanae catchments. For more information on GW’s project visit haveyoursay.gw.govt.nz 

Feedback has concluded

Please read our frequently asked questions. If you have a question that we haven't covered, you can ask us here and we'll do our best to respond as soon as possible. Please be concise and respectful in asking questions as they'll be available for everyone to see. Some answers may take a bit longer to get the details right.  

  • Share We have not received any information regarding flooding at our property 328 Manly Street, Paraparaumu Beach. Can you please confirm that we are not affected by the recent flood modeling that has been done. on Facebook Share We have not received any information regarding flooding at our property 328 Manly Street, Paraparaumu Beach. Can you please confirm that we are not affected by the recent flood modeling that has been done. on Twitter Share We have not received any information regarding flooding at our property 328 Manly Street, Paraparaumu Beach. Can you please confirm that we are not affected by the recent flood modeling that has been done. on Linkedin Email We have not received any information regarding flooding at our property 328 Manly Street, Paraparaumu Beach. Can you please confirm that we are not affected by the recent flood modeling that has been done. link

    We have not received any information regarding flooding at our property 328 Manly Street, Paraparaumu Beach. Can you please confirm that we are not affected by the recent flood modeling that has been done.

    Karen Webb asked 13 days ago

    Kia ora, Karen. 

    Your property is unaffected by inundation under the new model for all scenarios. However, your proximity to the Waikanae River we suggest you review Greater Wellington Regional Council’s flood modelling project which you can find on their website here: Kāpiti Flood Hazard Mapping - Engagement on historic flood events | Have Your Say | Greater Wellington

  • Share I live at 11 Teiaroa St. The whole street has only existed from 2020 onwards, with relevant personal housing soakpits installed as per council requirements and street related drainage. Has this been taken into consideration when mapping, and where is the flooding expected to come from... the hills and river, or the heavens. Regards on Facebook Share I live at 11 Teiaroa St. The whole street has only existed from 2020 onwards, with relevant personal housing soakpits installed as per council requirements and street related drainage. Has this been taken into consideration when mapping, and where is the flooding expected to come from... the hills and river, or the heavens. Regards on Twitter Share I live at 11 Teiaroa St. The whole street has only existed from 2020 onwards, with relevant personal housing soakpits installed as per council requirements and street related drainage. Has this been taken into consideration when mapping, and where is the flooding expected to come from... the hills and river, or the heavens. Regards on Linkedin Email I live at 11 Teiaroa St. The whole street has only existed from 2020 onwards, with relevant personal housing soakpits installed as per council requirements and street related drainage. Has this been taken into consideration when mapping, and where is the flooding expected to come from... the hills and river, or the heavens. Regards link

    I live at 11 Teiaroa St. The whole street has only existed from 2020 onwards, with relevant personal housing soakpits installed as per council requirements and street related drainage. Has this been taken into consideration when mapping, and where is the flooding expected to come from... the hills and river, or the heavens. Regards

    Dougal asked about 1 month ago

    Kia ora, Dougal

    The initial flood model update used LiDAR topographic data captured in 2017, which means that subdivision and building development completed after that time – such as your street – may not yet be fully represented in the models (or reflected in the draft maps). You are welcome to provide feedback via our online survey to note your property, its construction date and mitigation measures noting more recent LiDAR data will be incorporated into the flood model at the conclusion of the community engagement process. This will allow the model to better represent recent changes in ground levels and urban development.  The model includes detailed data on the public stormwater network, but it does not include private drainage infrastructure, such as soak pits on individual properties.

    The flood maps simulate a 1-in-100-year rainfall event – a rare but plausible storm that has a 1% percent change of happening in a year and involving intense rainfall, elevated groundwater levels, saturated soils and elevated sea levels (due to storm surge).  In such an event, it is likely that both the public stormwater system and private drainage solutions may be overwhelmed, even if they perform well under normal conditions.

    The updated model uses a rain-on-grid approach, which simulates rainfall falling evenly across the landscape to model how surface water behaves dynamically – including runoff, pooling, and how water interacts with the terrain and stormwater system.  Flooding shown in the model could originate from a range of sources depending on local conditions – including heavy rainfall runoff from surrounding land, ponding in low-lying areas, and the limited capacity of drainage infrastructure during extreme events.

  • Share On the new maps a 'no fill zone' that was on a property I own is not on the new flood planning maps. It has always been a dip that has never held water in two plus years we have owned the site, but we would like to level the section so that it is easier to build on. Does the fact that the new flood maps show no water collection here, mean that we would be able to raise the dip. This fill would affect no site other than ours (ie no overflow onto neighbours or onto the road system). on Facebook Share On the new maps a 'no fill zone' that was on a property I own is not on the new flood planning maps. It has always been a dip that has never held water in two plus years we have owned the site, but we would like to level the section so that it is easier to build on. Does the fact that the new flood maps show no water collection here, mean that we would be able to raise the dip. This fill would affect no site other than ours (ie no overflow onto neighbours or onto the road system). on Twitter Share On the new maps a 'no fill zone' that was on a property I own is not on the new flood planning maps. It has always been a dip that has never held water in two plus years we have owned the site, but we would like to level the section so that it is easier to build on. Does the fact that the new flood maps show no water collection here, mean that we would be able to raise the dip. This fill would affect no site other than ours (ie no overflow onto neighbours or onto the road system). on Linkedin Email On the new maps a 'no fill zone' that was on a property I own is not on the new flood planning maps. It has always been a dip that has never held water in two plus years we have owned the site, but we would like to level the section so that it is easier to build on. Does the fact that the new flood maps show no water collection here, mean that we would be able to raise the dip. This fill would affect no site other than ours (ie no overflow onto neighbours or onto the road system). link

    On the new maps a 'no fill zone' that was on a property I own is not on the new flood planning maps. It has always been a dip that has never held water in two plus years we have owned the site, but we would like to level the section so that it is easier to build on. Does the fact that the new flood maps show no water collection here, mean that we would be able to raise the dip. This fill would affect no site other than ours (ie no overflow onto neighbours or onto the road system).

    Claire asked 24 days ago

    Kia ora, Claire

    Our flood modelling engagement doesn’t negate the need to comply with current District Plan provisions.  We recommend you get in touch with our resource consent team to discuss what is required.



  • Share I’m interested to know how the current flood and ponding zone maps (as provided in a LIM) will be impacted by the updated map. E.g where a property shows to be in a ponding zone on the existing map but not affected by the new map on Facebook Share I’m interested to know how the current flood and ponding zone maps (as provided in a LIM) will be impacted by the updated map. E.g where a property shows to be in a ponding zone on the existing map but not affected by the new map on Twitter Share I’m interested to know how the current flood and ponding zone maps (as provided in a LIM) will be impacted by the updated map. E.g where a property shows to be in a ponding zone on the existing map but not affected by the new map on Linkedin Email I’m interested to know how the current flood and ponding zone maps (as provided in a LIM) will be impacted by the updated map. E.g where a property shows to be in a ponding zone on the existing map but not affected by the new map link

    I’m interested to know how the current flood and ponding zone maps (as provided in a LIM) will be impacted by the updated map. E.g where a property shows to be in a ponding zone on the existing map but not affected by the new map

    Nicko asked about 1 month ago

    Kia ora, Nicko

    The purpose of our engagement is to help refine and finalise the updated flood model to ensure it best represents flood behaviour. Once complete, this model – alongside Greater Wellington Regional Council’s updated river flood modelling – may be used to inform a range of Council decisions and activities, including:

    • Infrastructure upgrades
    • Emergency management planning
    • Property-level flood risk information
    • Changes to the Kāpiti Coast District Plan


    Any changes to flood hazard maps in the District Plan would occur through a formal plan change process, which may involve the consideration of different event frequencies (e.g. 1-in-20 or 1-in-50-year rainfall events), different climate scenarios, and other factors such as building footprints, flood depths and velocities, and hazard classifications.  Importantly, any changes to District Plan mapping or planning rules will require separate community consultation, in accordance with the requirements of the Resource Management Act (RMA).

    As for LIM (Land Information Memorandum) content, this will continue to reflect the most up-to-date and relevant information held by Council at the time of request. Once engagement on the updated flood model is complete, which won’t be until later this year/early 2026, Council can consider how this new information may be incorporated into LIMs. In the meantime, the existing rules in Council’s Operative District Plan continue to apply until a flood hazard plan change is publicly notified although the new models may be used for subdivision and floor level guidance on new developments.