News and Updates

30/3/2026

High Court Approves Notification Terms

On 30th March 2026 the High Court approved the Notice to potential class members, methods of notification and the "Opt Out" form. The "Opt Out" date is 29th May 2026.

24/3/2026

Case Mentioned in Court List - next date 25 August 2026

Mention of proceedings in the Court list where the Court made orders about discovery by HBRC and plaintiffs and invited a joint memorandum about terms of notification of the class action. Next Court date is 25th August 2026 at 11am.

20/2/2026

4 Insurers Also Issue Proceedings Against HBRC

On 20th February 2026 four insurers, IAG New Zealand Ltd, Vero lnsurance New Zealand Ltd, AA lnsurance Ltd and Tower Ltd commenced separate proceedings in the Napier High Court in the names of 210 insureds. The claim is for insured and uninsured losses. The proceedings are being managed together.

23/1/2026

Court Approves Class Action on "Opt Out" Basis

On 23rd January 2026 the Napier High Court approved this proceeding as a class action on an “opt out” basis which means that if people are within the class they will get the benefits of the class action without having to do anything. Notices and terms are to be sorted out in late March 2026.

11/11/2025

Application to Become a Class Action to be heard in February 2026

The Limery has applied to the Napier High Court for the current High Court proceeding against the Hawkes Bay Regional Council to become a class action for the benefit of all Wairoa people that suffered loss in the floods on 26 June 2024. In the court proceedings the evidence from a person involved in the management of the bar over many years will be extremely important. Robert Cram, now 92, was involved in bar management for about 34 years until 1989. The plaintiffs have asked the High Court to hear Mr Cram’s evidence now and the Napier High Court will take the evidence on video.

28/8/2024

HBRC files Statement of Defence

On 28 August 2024, the Hawke's Bay Regional Council filed its Statement of Defence. The Statement of Defence makes a number of interesting admissions.

8/8/2024

Meeting in Wairoa - 8th August 2024

A meeting organised by Grant Shand in Wairoa on the 8th August 2024 was attended by over 100 people.

17/7/2024

Grant Shand on Radio New Zealand

Listen to Grant Shand on Radio New Zealand discussing the claim against the Hawke's Bay Regional Council and their mismanagement of the Wairoa River which caused tens of millions of dollars of damage.

16/7/2024

Proceedings Filed Against HBRC

Proceedings were filed against the Hawke's Bay Regional Council today in relation to their mismanagement of the Wairoa River.

8/1/2024

Grant Shand to host meeting 8 August

Grant Shand to host 'Town Hall' meeting in Wairoa - 6pm to 7pm on 8 August 2024 - Presbyterian Church Hall