The priority rivers project involves the 28 river catchments around Northland identified as priorities for flood risk planning. The rivers and streams in these priority catchments pose potential threats to lives, buildings, road access, infrastructure and agriculture.

The flood data shows the likely extent of river flooding during a 10-year, 50-year or 100-year flood event. A 10-year flood area has a 10% chance of flooding annually, a 50-year flood area has a 2% chance of flooding annually whilst the more extensive 100-year flood area has a 1% chance of flooding annually. The data is designed to raise awareness of where flood hazard areas are and inform decision-making, to help minimise the impacts of flooding in our region.