Whakatane District Council — Property Due Diligence Guide
Whakatane District Council governs the eastern Bay of Plenty, with a population of approximately 37,000. The district includes the towns of Whakatane, Ohope, Edgecumbe, Murupara, and Taneatua, and is the gateway to Whakaari/White Island.
Quick Facts
Useful Links
How to Order a LIM Report
You can order a Whakatane District Council LIM online through their website. Standard processing takes 10 working days, with an urgent option available for faster turnaround.
Whakatane LIMs include building and resource consents, rates, zoning, flood risk mapping, coastal hazards, and contaminated land. Given the district's flood history, LIMs provide important detail on flood hazard zones, particularly around the Whakatane and Rangitaiki rivers.
Properties in Edgecumbe and the Rangitaiki Plains should be checked carefully for flood hazard classifications following the 2017 breach event.
District Plan Zones
Whakatane's District Plan includes:
- Residential: Standard residential zones in Whakatane and Ohope
- Rural Residential: Lifestyle blocks on the urban fringe
- Rural: Pastoral, horticultural, and forestry land
- Coastal Residential: Beach and coastal settlement zones
- Flood Hazard Overlays: Extensive flood mapping, particularly along the Rangitaiki and Whakatane rivers
Ohope is a popular beach settlement with limited development capacity, which supports property values but means new supply is constrained.
Natural Hazards
Whakatane's natural hazard profile is significant:
- Flooding: The district's most prominent hazard. The Rangitaiki River breach in 2017 flooded Edgecumbe extensively. Flood hazard mapping is detailed and critical to check.
- Volcanic activity: Proximity to Whakaari/White Island and the broader Taupo Volcanic Zone creates eruption, ashfall, and tsunami risk.
- Coastal erosion: Affecting Ohope and other coastal settlements.
- Tsunami: The eastern Bay of Plenty coastline is exposed to tsunami risk from both local and distant sources.
- Land instability: Relevant in hill areas and some coastal cliffs.
Building Consent & Code Compliance
Building consent is processed by Whakatane District Council with a standard 20 working day processing time.
Properties in flood hazard zones may require elevated floor levels and flood-resilient construction. Coastal properties may face setback requirements.
The district's relatively small size means the consent team is accessible and can provide pre-application advice efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Edgecumbe safe to buy in after the 2017 floods?
Significant flood mitigation work has been carried out on the Rangitaiki River since the 2017 breach, including stopbank repairs and improvements. However, the underlying flood risk remains, and insurance may be more expensive or harder to obtain for some properties. Check the LIM for flood hazard classification and contact insurers before committing to purchase.
What is the property market like in Whakatane?
Whakatane offers significantly more affordable property than Tauranga, with a similar warm climate. Ohope Beach is the premium location with strong demand. The town of Whakatane is experiencing some revitalisation. Consider flood risk carefully when assessing value, and factor in the smaller local economy and employment base.
Get the Full Picture on Any Property in Whakatane
Shire analyses your LIM report and other documents so nothing gets missed.
No commitment required · Start free