Dangerous dams policy

The Building (Dam Safety) Regulations 2024 introduced New Zealand’s first consistent approach to dam safety.

On 3 March 2026 WCRC adopted a new policy to align with the new regulations as our previous policy on dangerous, earthquake-prone, and flood-prone dams did not reflect these regulations.

Policy purpose
The new policy aims to reduce the risk of catastrophic failure of potentially dangerous dams and ensures deficiencies in earthquake-prone or flood-prone dams are addressed.

It outlines:

• how we will perform our legislative functions concerning dangerous, earthquake-prone and flood-prone dams
• our priorities when performing legislative functions
• how the policy applies to heritage dams.

The policy for West Coast/Tai Poutini has been developed alongside those of other regional councils to ensure national consistency around what is expected of dam owners.

WCRC dangerous dams, earthquake-prone dams and food prone dams policy