Westport residents have been left frustrated after the Government only partially funded a plan to protect the town from flooding.
In 2021 and again, less than a year later, it was hit by massive storms.
The town is nestled between two rivers and the ocean, which means that every time it rains, locals hold their breath.
Today, the Prime Minister visited the region, promising to offer some relief - announcing an additional $22.9 million will be put into flood protection and resilience work.
However, this was $20 million less than what local councils asked for.
While a business case went to the central government last year to protect the town - today’s announcement has left many with questions.
“Where's that funding coming from?” one local asked.
“There's been no consultation. They're meant to listen with an open ear. They haven't asked us what we want. They're just telling us,” another said.
Richard Kempthorne, Buller Flood Recovery Steering Group Chairman, said that while it’s not what they wanted, it’s better than nothing.
“Basically, when we look around the country when all the regions are getting pounded and how many demands there are, I think any funding is better than no funding,” he said.
Last year’s business case was for a ring of foodbanks and walls surrounding the town and Carter's beach.
As of now, it’s unclear what exactly will be funded.
Councils now have to go back to the Government with a more detailed funding proposal - and there's no timeline for that.
“There are still some things in the proposal we received that we haven't made final calls on yet,” Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said.
The regional council says there will be a flood wall along the Buller River, but it will be at least two years before it’s finished.
Another part of today’s package is to encourage building on higher ground.
“That's the natural progression, and some of that development has already been happening by natural attrition if you like,” Buller Mayor Jamie Cleine said.
“This is about properly planning that so doesn't become an ad hoc development that we'd later regret.”
To Jane Duncan, whose home was flooded twice, this announcement means nothing.
“We really do need to get the wheels turning faster. We are at as much risk right now as we were two years ago as we were three years ago,” she said.
Her road is often the worst hit.
“There's still no plan for us. There's no plan for those who can't be and will not be protected.”
The Government is looking at a plan for a managed retreat, and it’s thought Westport could become a test case for how towns deal with climate change.
In the meantime, locals will remain concerned about what happens when the next flood rolls in.
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