Taranaki Floods: Building our collective capacity

As the climate crisis reshapes our environment, flooding is becoming an increasingly urgent challenge for communities across Taranaki. 

Puke Ariki’s temporary exhibition Rescue highlights the vital work of our emergency and rescue services - but how can we better prepare before we reach crisis point? 

Join us for a lively discussion that brings together experts working across science, planning, and infrastructure to explore how Taranaki can prepare for, adapt to, and reduce the risks of flooding in a changing climate. Speakers will examine what climate modelling tells us about future flood patterns, how development and infrastructure are evolving to reduce vulnerability, and how community action plays a critical role in building long-term resilience. 

Lauren de Bude is a Three Waters Planning Engineer at NPDC, specialising in urban stormwater design, stormwater modelling, and flood resilience planning. With strong technical expertise and a practical, solutions focused approach, Lauren supports the development of long-term network plans and effective stormwater catchment strategies, using flood model analysis to inform risk-based decision making. She is committed to delivering sustainable, community focused outcomes that balance technical excellence with environmental responsibility.

Helene Rigert Robert is a Climate Change Adaptation Advisor at the New Plymouth District Council, working to strengthen both council and community resilience across all natural hazards. Her work spans risk data, policy, and long-term adaptation planning, supporting evidence-based decisions that build a more resilient future. She previously worked in climate finance consulting with a focus on food security, agriculture, and monitoring and evaluation, helping governments and organisations design and assess high impact resilience investments.