Kāeo River in Northland diverted to aid flood prevention work

Part of the Kāeo River has been diverted through a new channel as part of flood prevention works in the Northland town.

The new channel shifts the point where the Waikare Creek flows into the Kāeo River about 500 metres downstream.

The work is intended to minimise flooding during heavy rains which have repeatedly inundated the area over the years.

Northland Regional Council member Colin 'Toss' Kitchen, who chairs the Kāeo-Whangaroa River Working Group, says having water flow through the new channel for the first time is a significant milestone for the project.

"This is a major step forward after a huge amount of work on the ground to get to this point," he said.

"The project is about improving the way floodwater moves through this area and helping reduce flood risk for Kāeo township and the adjacent State Highway 10 network."

The works have also revealed archaeological sites in the area.

Radiocarbon dating shows one of the sites dates back to between 1400 and 1450AD.

Archaeological work continues to be managed on site, with archaeologists and cultural monitors supervising excavation.

Fish living in the now disused section of the river have been re-homed.