A major flood in the Ōtaki River could cause millions of dollars worth of damage to property and community assets in the Ōtaki area. The social and psychological costs, although difficult to quantify, add considerably to the devastating effect of such an event.

The Ōtaki Floodplain Management Plan is the result of six years of work by the Ōtaki community, Ngati Raukawa, the Wellington Regional Council and the Kapiti Coast District Council. Essentially the Plan provides a blueprint for management of the river and floodplain over the next 40 years.