A rule quietly ushered in and affecting properties across the Hastings district coastline has left residents frustrated, puzzled and out of pocket.
Hastings District Council is using new coastal flooding data to require homeowners to raise the height of their renovations.
For some that means going up around two metres off the ground. But there are questions on whether the data should even be used and the mayor has apologised for failing to tell residents about the new rule.
Hawke's Bay reporter Tom Kitchin has more.
