Categorisation update – 26 September

Welcome to our fortnightly categorisation programme update.

Final property categories have been provided to 2260 homes, with 770 classed as Category 3 and eligible for a buy-out (as of 23 September). This has been supported by a huge effort from our technical and engineering teams having completed over 3167 desktop assessments and 2252 site assessments. 

573 Category 3 homeowners have received or accepted a buy-out valuation, and 273 properties had completed their sale and purchase agreements (as of 23 September).

Overall, 3305 property owners have now registered for the categorisation scheme out of 7389 known impacted properties (as of 23 September). There is still time for at risk homeowners to sign up to the limited scheme before the deadline of 30 September 2024. See our ourauckland.nz/storms for more information, including translated resources. 

In some locations we have not been able to finalise risk reports and categories until decisions about local infrastructure solutions have been made. 

Muriwai 2C mitigation project

After further investigation, mitigation work that would have enabled four Muriwai properties to remain (and therefore making them a category 2C) is unfortunately no longer feasible. These four properties have now been categorised 3 and we are working with these homeowners on their options.

All other stormwater improvement works in Muriwai will be continuing. Please note that the 2C category numbers below do not yet reflect this change.

An ongoing note on the complexity of categorisation

Many properties have proven more complex to categorise for several reasons:

• There is an intolerable risk to life, but we need to assess the feasibility of a mitigation at the property. Examples include retaining walls, house raising or moving, altering fences and other structures blocking overland flow paths, or changes to driveways or landscaping
• There is an intolerable risk to life, but we have been waiting on confirmation of a community infrastructure project that could reduce this risk for whole neighbourhoods. Examples include redirecting overland flow paths, making more space for water to flow and pool, stopbanks, and upgrading culverts and roads. These projects are being scoped looking at feasibility of timelines, practicality, costs and impacts
• There are both flooding and landslip issues at the property
• Recent work at neighbouring properties, or the shifting of land, have changed the risk profile since we started.

See key categorisation and buyout figures below.

Categorisation progress (at 23 September 2024) 

Note: Not every home will need a site assessment, but some may need more than one

Category 3 buy-out progress (at 23 September 2024)

Categories confirmed (at 23 September 2024)

*​A small number of properties that have registered for the programme are ineligible, including those with vacant land, commercial/non-residential properties, or properties owned by public service providers. The programme is focused on addressing risk to life in residential situations. 

Categories by suburb (at 23 September 2024)