12 Apr 2021

Matatā family to move out of home after rezoning

From Morning Report, 8:54 am on 12 April 2021

A Bay of Plenty family are having to move out of their home because of a rezoning of land due to risk.

In 2005, the Awatarariki fanhead on the coast of Matatā flooded with slurry, rocks and timber following heavy rainfall.

No one died, but property was damaged and a managed retreat process began.

At the start of this month, a regional council plan change extinguished existing land rights for properties in the area.

The Whalley family vigorously opposes moving - but they have agreed to leave in a year.

Rachel Whalley spoke to Susie Ferguson.