Flooded locals longstanding concerns about Wairoa River bar

The Hawkes Bay Regional Council is being accused of playing Russian roulette with the town over its management of the Wairoa River Bar - as the town mops up from yet another devastating flood. The Council is investigating whether a channel on the Wairoa River bar should have been dug sooner to release the swollen Wairoa River - admitting it may have contributed to the flooding. Its Chair Hinewai Ormsby says decisions about opening the bar were made on the best forecasting information available at the time. The Commodore of the Wairoa Yacht Club Adrian Mayhead spoke to Charlotte Cook