4272 (2024). Arena Williams to the Minister for Building and Construction

4272 (2024). Arena Williams to the Minister for Building and Construction: How many dams, if any, are at a height of 4 or more metres and store 20,000 or more cubic metres volume of water or other fluid, as of 28 March 2024?

Hon Chris Penk: This government’s recent decision to change the classifiable dam thresholds will mean that approximately 1,900 fewer dams are impacted by the Building (Dam Safety) Regulations 2022. Based on the data available, it is estimated that there are approximately 1,100 dams in Aotearoa/New Zealand with a height of 4 or more metres, and which store 20,000 or more cubic metres volume of water, or other fluid. It is anticipated that data quality on the number of dams will improve once the Building (Dam Safety) Regulations 2022 come into effect on 13 May 2024. From this date, regional authorities will begin receiving potential impact classification assessments from dam owners and will be able to actively update their dam registers.