Parewanui - Rangitikei River, 2023
Just south of the town of Bulls, the Rangitikei River meanders, eroding the west bank. Flooding during Cyclone Gabrielle accelerated the erosion, almost reaching the stop-bank. Horizons Regional Council employed contractors to backfill and repair the 400m long damaged section of riverbank using both Fortifier 2-tonne and 4-tonne Erosion Control Rock Bags filled with local, ungraded river run. The damaged section of river bank was filled and planted with Willow trees, with the Rock Bags positioned to take the brunt of the river’s impact, shielding the plantings while they matured.
After several high water events, the Parewanui installation has settled, and silt buildup has begun. Nursery plants and grasses have naturally begun to grow within and through the Rock Bags, their root systems tying bags together and further contributing to bank retention. Eventually, the bags will naturally be covered and integrated into the habitat, assisting stability and promoting rejuvenation of the damaged area.
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