EnviroStrat (working with Maven Consulting) led a project to identify and value the social impact of coastal hazards (flooding and erosion) on the Hawkes Bay communities of Ahuriri, Westshore, Bay View and Whirinaki. The project provides a clear understanding of social issues and impacts, and the output describes a series of priority social outcomes related to community well-being and loss of amenities as foundations for community cohesion and development.
Interviews and group discussions with residents, iwi and businesses in local communities were the major source of information. Projected social outcomes were valued by ‘financial proxies’ and ‘value mapping’ to estimate a social cost for each community if a scenario were to materialise. The report recommends future options should include the application of the Social Return on Investments (SROI) approach as a baseline for future investment to mitigate coastal hazards.