The Northland Regional Council is looking to buy land around Kaeo to give flood-prone property owners somewhere to move to.
It is 20 months since the first of two big floods hit the township last year, but a number of residents are still living in damaged homes because they can't afford to have them lifted above flood level.
More than 20 houses and businesses need either lifting or relocating.
In many cases, the owners have had insurance payouts but these do not cover the cost of lifting the homes. The work is estimated to cost more than $800,000.
Since the floods, the Government, the Far North District Council and the Northland Regional Council have funded more than $400,000 worth of stream clearance work in Kaeo.
Some people say it is a token gesture that will actually make flooding worse downstream.
But it is aimed at preventing a repeat of the closure of the main street - State Highway 10 - which was under a metre of water.
However, the Northland Regional Council is thinking longer-term. Even if constant dredging were affordable it would not save communities like Kaeo from the risk of more frequent major floods.
Regional councillor Ian Walker says the council is quietly negotiating to buy higher, dry land in Kaeo where residents, businesses, and even schools could choose to relocate.
More can be heard on this topic on Insight on Sunday morning.
