As the crisp scent of freshly cut grass replaces winter’s rain and chill, Auckland is officially shaking off its slumber.
The arrival of spring isn’t just a change in temperatures, it’s a call to action for Aucklanders to embrace the season, refresh their homes and their spirits, and prepare for whatever nature throws our way.
Following months of cooler weather, we can now make the most of the sunnier days ahead. That means dusting off the barbecue, planting spring produce, planning outdoor adventures, and preparing for swims at our favourite spots.
After a long winter, there’s nothing like that first feeling of warm air and the promise of a sunny weekend. It’s about getting back outside, reconnecting with the community, and enjoying everything our city has to offer.
But spring also comes with a timely reminder: longer days and warmer evenings can bring sudden downpours, power cuts, and stormy surprises. Aucklanders are being urged to prepare now to make sure they’re ready for any weather event.
A few simple steps can make a big difference:
Check your emergency plan
Write a plan with your household for how you will stay in touch, where to meet if separated, and what to do if power, water, or internet goes out.
Have a backup plan
If you rely on pumps, septic systems, or medical equipment that needs power, plan for outages
Refresh your emergency shelter in place kit
Imagine hosting an unexpected three-day camping trip at home; do you have food that won’t expire quickly, clean drinking water or water purifying tablets, torches, batteries, and a first aid kit? Don’t forget pet supplies, copies of important documents, and entertainment for kids
Check fire safety
Test smoke alarms and replace batteries as fires can still happen, and that little red light doesn’t guarantee safety.
Organise the garden
Start getting your hands dirty and increase your kai resilience by planting seeds for new produce like tomatoes and strawberries and prepare your flower beds for the season's first blooms.
After trimming back spring growth, check the main Auckland Council website for places to take your green waste, especially noxious pest plants and fibrous plants like palms and yucca that are difficult to compost.
Spring clean your house
Pulling the barbecue out and found a bunch of stuff in the shed you no longer need? Feeling the need to declutter your house or home?
Someone else might love it. Sell it, give it away or take it to your local community recycling centre (CRC). That barbecue has a gas bottle that needs to go? Make sure it’s empty then drop it at a MataGas outlet or check if your local CRC takes them. Some New Zealand camping stores sell a tool that enables canisters to be fully emptied prior to being dropped off.
And then, it’s time to have fun! Once the jobs are done, light the barbecue, pack a picnic, or take a walk up one of Tāmaki Makaurau’s maunga to soak up panoramic views of the city. Being prepared doesn’t mean dampening the joy of spring, it means you can enjoy it fully, knowing you and your whānau are safe.
So as the clocks spring forward, Aucklanders are being reminded: take time to reset, refresh, and be ready for a season of both sunshine and surprises.
