A two-year pilot project exploring nature-based ways to reduce flood risk in Southland is wrapping up — and early results are encouraging.

Led by Environment Southland and Te Ao Mārama Inc., the 'Murihiku Slow the Flow' project tested solutions like wetlands, native planting, and reconnecting rivers with floodplains in the upper Mataura catchment — an area hit hard by flooding in 2020.

Project manager Ella Lawton said the team combined Western science and Mātauranga Māori to assess how these approaches could protect communities like Gore and Mataura from future floods.

“We tested how a collaborative approach — bringing together technical, cultural and local knowledge — could be used to assess the potential for nature-based solutions to reduce flood risk and improve catchment-wide environmental wellbeing.”

Assessing the feasibility of including nature-based solutions in a catchment approach to flood risk would be a key aspect of future planning, Lawton said.

One tool trialed, the 'More Than Water Tool', helped highlight the wider benefits of nature-based flood management, including environmental and cost advantages.

The final report will be shared with Environment Southland councillors soon and published online.

The project was one of 21 nationwide pilots funded by the Ministry for the Environment.