Tō Rohe Your Area

Greater Wellington Region 

The Greater Wellington region/Te Upoko o te Ika is home to around 506,814 people. The Greater Wellington Regional Council is responsible for environmental management, flood protection and land management, provision of regional parks, public transport planning and funding, and metropolitan water supply. There are various hazards that face the Wellington region including earthquake, tsunami, flooding, storms, and landslides. The Wellington Region’s physical geography and topography, with mountain ranges running north-south and dynamic river systems, mean that during a major earthquake it’s likely the local council areas will be isolated from each other. Within the region there are 4 cities (Wellington, Porirua, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt), and 4 districts (Kāpiti, South Wairarapa, Carterton and Masteron). 

Lower Hutt 

Lower Hutt City is administered by the Hutt City Council and has a population of around 104,532 people. 

The city sits in the lower southern valley of the Te Awa Kairangi/ the Hutt River which is fed by two catchments. Heavy rain along the length of the Tararua can create a potential high flood risk for Hutt Valley. The western edge of the city runs along the same fault line that passes through Wellington city, posing a major threat of earthquake-related damage, including landslides. There is also tsunami threat to a large section of Lower Hutt.  

Porirua City 

Porirua City sits on the western side of the Wellington region and is largely formed around the arms of the Porirua Harbour. Porirua is home to around 56,559 people with the most populated areas being coastal. 

The city is administered by Porirua City Council. Porirua has vulnerable links to adjoining cities due to the steep hills that define the edge of the Porirua basin. Various natural hazards could affect the city including earthquakes, tsunami, storms, flooding and landslides. Porirua Stream and Horokiwi Stream run through the city and coastal and Harbour area are at risk from tsunami. 

South Wairarapa 

The South Wairarapa District is home to around 10,575 people. 

The district comprises the floodplain of the Ruamahanga River and the associated Lake Wairarapa. Ruamahanga is the longest awa/river in the region at 124km, and feeds from Mt Dundas in the Northern Tararua ranges and discharges into the sea at Lake Ferry. The Wairarapa fault runs along to the west of the district and has seen large earthquakes in the past. Similarly to the rest of the Wairarapa, the South has also been affected by drought in the past. 

Masterton 

Masterton is Wairarapa's largest town being home to around 25,557 people. The district is flanked by the Tararua ranges to the west and extends to the east coast just beyond Mataikona.

The Wairarapa fault runs along to the west of the district. This fault is one of five major active faults in the Wellington region.