Auckland storm recovery shifts to delivery focus

As Auckland Council’s storm recovery office wraps up assessing 3500 homes affected by 2023 storms, the focus now shifts to delivering solutions — including completing a programme of 1200 voluntary buy-outs for those in high-risk homes.

“It’s been a massive, complex and emotional journey — especially for those waiting to find out what the future holds for their home and wider community,” says Mace Ward, Group Recovery Manager for the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office.

“Reaching this point is a significant milestone, made possible by an enormous team effort. More than 30 organisations have contributed technical experts to help us get here, including some from other regions, even overseas.” 

Of the 3500 properties assessed, nearly 60 per cent have been cleared of serious risk. The remaining homes have been assessed as facing an intolerable risk to life from future storm events. Of these, 1200 are eligible for a buy-out, while 180 will have their risk reduced through targeted property or community infrastructure solutions.

Mace Ward, Group Recovery Manager

Addressing risk 

“Now that we have a detailed understanding of future risk across storm-affected areas, we can focus on delivering the best solutions for those at risk,” says Mr Ward. 

“We’ve already completed buy-outs for more than 600 high-risk properties and continue supporting the remaining Category 3 homeowners and tenants through the process, so they can move forward with their lives. While we’ve allowed as much flexibility as we can with timing, we do have a deadline for Government funding so we need to get on with removing buildings or making them safe.”

Funding for recovery from 2023 storms is supported by a major cost sharing agreement between Auckland Council and the Government, worth over $2 billion. 

Over 1200 high risk homes will be removed or made safe, with a preference for relocation to use elsewhere, or deconstruction to recycle materials. 

This month councillors will consider a new policy to guide future use of Category 3 land. A business case has just been approved to pave the way for stage one of flood reduction project design, consenting and early enabling works in suburbs along Wairau waterways. In Māngere works will kick off later this month for two major flood reduction projects worth $53m. Detailed investigations are also underway for an approved project to reduce flooding in neighbourhoods around Clover Drive in Rānui.  

“Compared to other natural disasters of this scale, we’re in a strong position just two years on,” says Mr Ward. “We’ve had to build every process from scratch and do it quickly, under a new government framework. All this while working with communities who are still carrying the trauma and disruption of what they’ve been through. 

Two upcoming projects in Māngere will reduce flood risk for hundreds of homes

The path ahead 

“There’s still a lot to do — from getting spades in the ground for flood reduction projects, to removing most of the high-risk homes and then making decisions about how that land can be used in the future. But with these big pieces of work underway, we’re heading down a very positive path to recovery and future resilience.”

Meanwhile, community-led recovery planning is well underway across affected areas allowing communities themselves to determine what recovery looks like at the local level — supported by dedicated recovery funding. Wellbeing support continues for 555 affected residents, with the Storm Recovery Navigation Service having supported more than 2000 whānau since the storms.

To ensure council and communities are better prepared for the next recovery, work is also underway to capture lessons and opportunities from the recovery programme so far. Council welcomed recent support from the Minister Responsible for the RMA for changes that will allow it to better manage development in high-risk hazard areas.

Unveiling Pou Hihiri – a new sculpture commemorating the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle in the Muriwai community

Recovery progress information

The categorisation programme is a voluntary programme for homes affected by major 2023 storms. Property assessments and solutions are focused on situations where there is an 'intolerable risk to life' from future storms.

The Recovery Office will continue to work through a small number of categorisation review requests.

Category 3 buy-out progress

When Category 3 homeowners opt into the buy-out programme, council provides them with an independent valuation based on the value of the property at 26 January 2023 (the day before the first major storm in 2023). Through the buy-out process homeowners also have access to a $5,000 contribution for professional fees which can be used toward legal fees or the cost of getting their own valuation.

When they are happy to move forward with a valuation, the sale and purchase agreement is instructed, the offer accepted, and the buy-out completed at the agreed settlement date. In terms of timing, with each situation being unique, we are working as flexibly as we can to support homeowners to make their decisions - while remaining fair across the programme. 

Categories by suburb

*An additional 184 cases from a range of suburbs were ineligible or withdrawn