Locals in Mt Roskill and Wesley (Ōwairaka) are taking the next step in shaping their recovery from the 2023 storms, with voting opening this weekend to bring community-led projects to life.
Flooding in early 2023 significantly impacted communities across Mt Roskill and Wesley, particularly in neighbourhoods along Oakley Creek. Hundreds of homes were affected, with 82 high-risk homes offered a buy-out to move out of harm's way.
People who live, work, or study in the area can now vote on 11 projects proposed by locals to support their recovery and ongoing resilience.
The shortlisted projects (outlined below) reflect a wide range of community priorities from practical flood resilience and emergency preparedness, to housing support, wellbeing services, food security, youth leadership and environmental action.
“It has been an extraordinary journey,” says Nik Naidu, Recovery Leadership Rōpū member and founder of the Whānau Community Centre & Hub.
“Through close collaboration with a diverse group of local grassroots leaders, together we've created a one-of-a-kind community-driven movement.
“Built by the community, for the community, it's focused on empowering local voices at every stage.”
From community priorities to action
This voting opportunity builds on more than a year of community-led work following the storms, which caused significant flooding, damaged homes and led to ongoing change across the neighbourhood, including buy-outs and relocations.
Thousands of pieces of feedback from residents during 2025 helped shape the Recovery and Resilience in Roskill action plan. Community groups, residents and organisations have since put forward project ideas in response to those priorities, now being put to the community to decide. That work has been led by the local Wesley and Roskill Recovery Leadership Rōpū - a group of residents and community leaders helping ensure recovery is shaped by those most affected.
Supported by Auckland Council as part of the wider recovery programme, this approach recognises that communities who actively shape and deliver their own recovery tend to recover more strongly and build greater resilience over time. The successful initiatives will be enabled by the first of two $150,000 community-led recovery rounds for the area.
Some members of the Mt-Roskill Wesley Recovery Leadership Rōpū
It is also a unique example of participatory funding in action, with local people directly deciding how recovery investment is prioritised in their neighbourhood.
"These projects are more than just a response to past events; they’re an investment in our future. They empower our community to see beyond the immediate challenges,” says Richard Barter, Rōpū member and ARK (Acts of Roskill Kindness Trust) Coordinator.
“It’s about fostering a sense of collective resilience that isn’t about being victims of uncontrollable weather, but about actively shaping a stronger, more connected tomorrow.
“Through these initiatives, we are reinforcing the belief that together, we can build a future where our community stands strong, ready to face whatever comes our way.”
Together, they show a community not just recovering, but actively shaping a stronger, more connected future.
Voting is open until 26 April, online and in person at locations across the neighbourhood, including Wesley Community Centre, Roskill Library and pop-up stalls. Successful projects will be announced at a community celebration in early May.
Local project summaries
Flood Resilience - What the Whau
What the Whau is a group of Roskill neighbours taking action about ongoing flooding of their homes. They’re pushing for practical solutions to reduce pressure on local waterways and protect homes increasingly affected by heavy rain and past housing intensification.
ARK Neighbourhood Support Project
ARK Puketāpapa, alongside Tāmaki Makaurau Neighbourhood Support, will help connect 20–30 streets in flood-prone areas so neighbours can support each other before and during extreme weather events building local connections and leadership in the process.
Wellbeing Pop-Ups – New Settlers Family & Community Trust
These pop-ups will bring counselling and social work support directly into streets still affected by the floods, offering safe, local spaces where people can access help close to home.
Housing Advocacy – Mt Roskill Community Association
This project strengthens local housing support by funding a coordinator of housing advocacy clinics, training volunteer community housing advocates, and running workshops so residents can better navigate housing issues and speak up for themselves.
Growing Wesley Together – Wesley Primary School
Wesley Primary will expand its school garden to grow food for their onsite school lunches and local families still struggling following the 2023 floods, while creating hands-on learning opportunities for students and the wider community to become more food secure.
Living with Water – New Zealand Ethnic Women’s Trust
This project will run 16 workshops in multiple languages to help local migrant and vulnerable refugee communities understand the catchment, flooding, prepare for emergencies, and stay connected and informed.
Puketāpapa Amazing Bike Race – Global Hope Missions
Hundreds of young people will take part in a bike-based challenge along the awa, learning about emergency preparedness and climate action through fun challenges and hands-on activities.
SPEAK Magazine – Youth Voices Matter
SPEAK Magazine gives local young people a platform to share their stories, creativity, and perspectives through a high-quality print and digital publication shaped by youth themselves with no ‘adult’ input or constraints building storing local youth voices and leadership.
Growing Resilience Together – Uta Garden Project
This local Tongan-led garden project brings people together to grow and share food using Tongan traditional practices, strengthening food security, culture, and connection and build support for climate action, ensuring participation through translated materials and workshops.
Binhi Project – Soil of Culture
The Binhi Project will create a sponge garden and food hub in Waikōwhai, sharing migrant knowledge on how to absorb heavy rain and protect soil through practical, climate-responsive gardening.
Community Mapping – Our Awa Our Future
This project will run workshops to map local waterways, wetlands, and flood-prone areas, helping communities better understand risks and protect their environment.