Podcasts about auckland floods

Calm before the storm for Auckland's flood-risk communities as the council takes action. It'll buy more than 1200 high risk homes by the end of the year, at a cost of $352 million. A large chunk of the land will be retained for flood resilience and safer areas will be sold for development. Auckland Council Policy and Planning Committee Chair Richard Hills told Mike Hosking it's going to be a long road. He says people will find it hard seeing houses removed from the street they live on. The Council has also acknowledged the time it's taken to take action on flood risk areas. Hills says he hoped it would be a faster process. He told Hosking homeowners could apply to be categorised for most of last year, and then needed individual assessments. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Council's set to put $352 million into purchasing homes in high-risk flood zones. More than 1200 properties will be bought by the end of the year, and a large amount of the land will be retained for flood resilience. Auckland Council Group Recovery Manager Mace Ward told Ryan Bridge it's a significant investment in future resilience for Auckland. He says over $1.2 billion will be put in between Crown and Council funding. Ward says there's an opportunity for development, and around 30% of the properties could be redeveloped for residential use. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Climate change is fuelling a significant increase in insurance premiums, with experts wondering who should cover the costs. There's been an elevation in insurance costs for at-risk properties following worsening floods and natural disasters - and a new analysis suggests we'll soon need a better public backstop. WSP Fellow and Helen Clark Foundation deputy director Kali Mercier says some people's insurance costs have doubled over the last year - and many people are feeling the pinch. "Consumer New Zealand surveys have shown it's one of the top three economic concerns in families at the moment, insurance prices. So it's already a problem." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fire and Emergency has released a review into their response during the Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle. It found FENZ lacked specialist response equipment, training and preparedness to effectively handle the disaster. Fire and Emergency National Commander Russell Wood spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

This weekend marks one year since the Auckland Anniversary floods that inundated homes, roads, highways, businesses, and shops. Thousands required storm-related assistance, and more than 7000 properties were stickered in the aftermath of the floods.   The disaster continues to impact residents, with many living in flood-prone areas and others having to contend with lootings- 15 burglaries took place on one affected street within the last 12 months. Deputy Group Recovery Manager for the Auckland Recovery Efforts, Mace Ward, says their organisation is determined to remove people from unsafe environments.  "It is new territory- standing up an independent office that could really focus on this one job alone, leveraging central Government agencies and Auckland council Departments as well and giving it a single focus." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MetService is explaining why its models struggled to predict how bad the fatal Auckland Anniversary Storm was going to be.  An internal review reveals it failed to indicate the severity of the event and has found fault with the warnings issued.  MetService CEO Stephen Hunt told Mike Hosking that teams were in a real state of flow on the day.   Stephen Hunt says they're looking at using AI technology to better predict the weather.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A construction boss is allaying fears of flooding of development sites.  Neighbours are raising concerns about a new housing development on land which flooded during Auckland's January downpours.  Mayor Wayne Brown says he's not aware of the specific situation, but he has concerns there are plots of land with resource consent that have recently flooded.   Naylor Love Chief Executive Rick Herd told Mike Hosking that just because the piece of land has flooded, doesn't mean there isn't an engineering solution to it.  He says it may be the developers have already got a plan to get rid of the water off the site should there be flooding.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland flood-affected residents have raised concerns about being excluded from their communities.   Category 3 homeowners presented to the Auckland Council yesterday, telling councillors that buyouts based on rates valuations would be too low for them to buy in their communities.   Property commentator Ashley Church told Mike Hosking that under normal circumstances the council would negotiate a fair market value, but these houses won't be habitable again.   He says the council has the choice of negotiating the best deal on behalf of the ratepayers, or sympathise with the residents and find a solution that allows them to get on with their lives.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tension was high at a fiery community meeting last night about the hundreds of homes still uninhabitable after the city's anniversary weekend floods. It was standing room only as residents clashed with Council representatives who tried to assure them Central Government is to blame for the delays. But as Louise Ternouth reports, six months on, some of those present were having absolutely none of it with one man vowing to sue the council if residents don't have clarity soon. And just a warning, this story contans some ripe language.

The government's given Auckland council the hurry up over delays telling property owners the fate of their flood damaged homes. Under its voluntary buy out scheme property owners will get one of three classifications; Category three means its unsafe to rebuild and owners will be offered a buy out... category two homes may need further council flood and resiliance measures and category one.. once repaired are safe to keep living in. The cost of the scheme will be shared by council and central government. But Auckland council is yet to tell owners their classifications, instead its been sending out letters asking for more information, including asking property owners their classifications should be. The Minister for Cyclone Recovery and Auckland have welcomed the consultation but says its imperative that home owners are offered certainty ASAP. Minister for Auckland Michael Wood spoke to Lisa Owen. 

A call tonight for the government to pay accomodation costs for people displaced from flood damaged homes as their insurance payments run dry and they remain in limbo. The advovcacy group West Auckland is Flooding wants a fund people can apply to...to cover the cost of their temporary accomodation as they wait for authorities to decide about managed retreat. Joining us now is WAIF spokesperson Morgan Allen.  

More than 300 households whose homes were wrecked in the cyclone and Auckland floods, are still waiting to be housed - or are in limbo. The hold up is partly because the Temporary Accomodation Service - like residents - is waiting for the government to decide which land is safe to put the temporary housing on. Lauren Crimp has the story. 

Three months on from the devastating anniversary floods, some West Auckland residents are still living in destroyed homes and are desperate for answers. Checkpoint reporter Louise Ternouth and camera operator Marika Khabazi went to visit them. 

Fire Fighters on duty during the Auckland floods struggled with inadequate gear and vehicles and feel they were left in the dark by senior leaders. That's according to the results of a survey by the Professional Firefghters union. Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has ordered an independent review of the emergency response to the floods on January 27, but findings have been delayed until mid-March. A state of emergency was not signed off until about 9:30pm on the Friday and not announced publicly for another half hour. Martin Campbell is the Union's Secretary for the Northern Branch & Auckland Local. He talks to Lisa Owen.

The Detail looks at how Auckland's mayor handled the flooding crisis, as another storm looms.

At least 276 Auckland homes have been red stickered due to flood damage, meaning they're currently not liveable. Another 1590 homes or buildings have been yellow stickered - they're got extensive damage too. Up to 160 assessors have been on the ground each visiting some properties multiple times to update their status. So if you've been stickered, what are the implications and what happens next? Kerri Fergusson is Auckland Council Manager Compliance Response and Investigations. She talks to Lisa Owen.  

Assessment of damage is underway in Pukekohe after a deluge of rain saw onions floating down the street and farms turned into lakes. Kiwifruit vines and structures have also been wiped out - while parts of the South Island start preparing for a drought.

In a week of severe weather that has seen at least 5000 Auckland buildings damaged, council assessors have had their work cut out for them with 4000 building inspections in the aftermath of last Friday's floods. Up to 160 assessors are on the ground each day, some visiting the same property multiple times to update stickers. Reporter Tom Taylor and camera operator Nick Monro rode along with one of the assessment crews on Auckland's North Shore.  

As Auckland's state of emergency is extended for a further seven days, RNZ reporter Soumya Bhamidipati has the latest details. 

In the aftermath of Auckland's flooding, there's been plenty of talk about sponge cities - but what are they?

As flood-weary Aucklanders continue their clean-up from this week's heavy rain, many are dealing with slips that are affecting their property. Hills and cliffs around any number of suburbs in the city have been subject to landslides, with homes around them given red or yellow stickers. But what makes a property vulnerable to slips? Are there any warning signs one is imminent, and if so is there anything you can do? One of those who has been out assessing slips around Auckland over the past few days is Paul Fletcher, an associate at geotechnical engineering firm ENGEO. Slip advice from Auckland Emergency Management To report slips on private land contact the landowner, or if you are the landowner, your insurance company. For landslides that might affect public land, contact Auckland Council on 09 301 0101. For landslides that might affect public roads, contact Auckland Transport on 09 355 3553.

There's been a massive community response to the clean up effort in Auckland. Thousands have been mucking in to help people get back into their homes, or offering a place to shower for those still displaced. Our reporter Louise Ternouth and cameraman Angus Dreaver went to see them.

In the past few days more than 1500 vehicles that were inundated with flood waters have been towed away from random spots where they eventually washed up after heavy rain flooded parts of Auckland overnight on Friday. What happens to them now? And what should you watch for if buying a second-hand car after the Auckland floods? Tony Everett from the MTA talks to Lisa Owen.

Residents in Swanson and experts are calling for no more housing developments in flood-prone areas. The area was left under metres of floodwaters for the second time in two years over the weekend. Sally Wenley reports.

Aucklanders are being urged to be vigilant ahead of rain tonight that could be heavy for some but completely bypass other areas. Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel and Waikato have severe thunderstorm watches in place until 10pm Thursday. Emegency Management Deputy Controller Rachel Kelleher says the heavy rain would be localised, but residents need to be prepared.  

Some parts of Auckland could be in for localised thunderstorms this evening with a heavy rain warning in place until 10pm Thursday. The current state of emergency is due to be lifted on Friday but could be extended beyond that. There are 95 assessors in the field. At least 196 homes have been red stickered and more than 1000 yellow stickered, with lengthy repairs ahead for many. Kaingā Ora says some state homes will need to be demolished, and others assessed against a climate change criteria before a decision is made to repair them or not. One of the most immediate issues though is where are people going to live long term? RNZ reporter Soumya Bhamidipati begins our coverage in West Auckland.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins talks joins Kathryn Ryan to talk about his first week on the job. Catastrophic flooding in Auckland has made for a challenging start. Also challenging the government is inflation and the cost of living, and Mr Hipkins has promised his cabinet will focus on "bread and butter" issues affecting struggling households as well as "reprioritising" spending. Yesterday he confirmed the 25-cent petrol tax cut and half price public transport will be extended until the end of June. He's also reshuffled his cabinet - appointing a Minister for Auckland and promoting some less experienced Ministers into high profile portfolios. The election is just eight and a half months away.....what can Prime Minister Hipkins deliver between now and then?

This morning's latest deluge in Auckland has also caused more flooding for the city's largest sporting venue. Pumping is again taking place to remove a significant amount of water on Eden Park's outer oval - with some of that flooding flowing through on the main ground. Here with more is sports reporter Clay Wilson.

Auckland has been cleared of weather watches and warnings after another morning of strong winds and heavy rain causing flooding. Schools and childcare centres are able to open on Thursday. At least 612 flood-damaged cars have been towed from roads, with more to be picked up. There are at least 138 red-stickered properties, meaning they are uninhabitable. At least 542 are yellow-stickered. In Māngere hundreds of people turned up at an emergency shelter in need of accomodation, clothing and food. Families with yellow or red stickered homes have had to spilt up and sleep in their cars, many are also in public housing or without insurance. Checkpoint reporter Louise Ternouth and camera operator Samuel Rillstone filed this report.

The Detail is on the ground in west Auckland, surveying the damage from last week's record-breaking rainfall.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has unveiled his new Cabinet line-up. Nanaia Mahuta has been stripped of the local government portfolio and Andrew Little has lost health. Kieran McAnulty enters Cabinet and picks up local government. Ayesha Verall gets health. Michael Wood has shot up the rankings and becomes the Minister for Auckland. Jan Tinetti has also been promoted, picking up education. New ministers include Ginny Anderson, Barbara Edmonds, Duncan Webb, Willow-Jean Prime, Rino Tirikatene, and Deborah Russell. Chris Hipkins talks to Lisa Owen about the government response to the Auckland floods, and the Cabinet changes.

Thousands of people are making insurance claims after heavy rain and flooding in the north of New Zealand, especially in Auckland. Insurance lawyer Peter Woods has worked on property claims for earthquake damage in Canterbury and Marlborough.. He has also been an Independent Specialist Adviser to the government. Peter talks to Lisa Owen.

As North Islanders prepare for more heavy rains, Auckland Mayor, Wayne Brown says this time, agencies are ready.

As tough as Friday's downpour was on residents in Auckland and the far north, some of those most affected were people sleeping rough in the super city. Sleeping bags and cardboard provided little shelter, as torrential rains swamped the streets, flooding doorways, alcoves and other usual refuges. Some of the Auckland's most vulnerable turned to nearby businesses for shelter. Rayssa Almeida reports.

A major business group says they've been blindsided by the decision to keep schools closed for another week. Employers and Manufacturers Association CEO Brett O'Riley talks to Lisa Owen.

In south Auckland some residents feel they were left to fend for themselves when the worst of weather hit. Community leader Dave Letele talks to Lisa Owen.

Auckland's mayor Wayne Brown has conceded that his and his office's communication on Friday night was not good enough. But he has no plans to resign. The mayor says the council has made changes to help people dispose of storm waste from their properties.

Titirangi in west Auckland has been particularly hard hit, with a number of landslips. One major slip has cut off residents around Titirangi Beach. Alistair Grace woke to see a chunk of his land strewn across the road. Lucy is a resident who's also dealing with the aftermath of the big storm.

Eden Park in central Auckland was planning to switch from sports ground to community shelter - until the torrential rain arrived on their doorstep. The number one and number two fields were underwater on Friday and operational offices in the lower west stand have sustained damage. Cricket games and the stadium's annual golf tournament which was due to tee off tomorrow have been cancelled. As Eden Park ceo Nick Sautner explains the ground's history still causes problems today. RNZ sports reporter Felicity Reid has the details.

Auckland schools and early childhood centres have been told to keep their gates shut until next Tuesday - the day after Waitangi Day. About 20 schools in the region were badly hit by the flooding, while others have slips or grounds contaminated by floodwater. Wendy Kofoed is the President of the Auckland Primary Principals Association and is the principal at Newmarket School. She talks to Lisa Owen.

So instead of throwing open their doors to students, Auckland school principals are welcoming displaced families and counting the cost of Friday's flood damage. Amy Williams has the story.

First came the floods and now a rising tide of insurance claims. So what do you need to know if your car is swamped with water or your basement carpet's coated in silt? Tower Insurance Chief Claims Officer Steve Wilson talks to Lisa Owen.  

There is much confusion tonight at one Auckland Secondary school after the Ministry of Education instructed all Auckland schools, early childhood centres and tertiary institutions to close until February 7 due to more expected bad weather. But Auckland Grammar Principal Tim O'Connor has emailed parents tonight to say his school will remain open tomorrow. Tim O'Connor talks to Lisa Owen.  

Metservice and Civil Defence warn of more intense rain in the next 48 hours. A rainfall warning has been upgraded to red for parts of Auckland, Coromandel and Northland from tomorrow afternoon. It comes as the region recorded almost eight times its usual January rainfall. The Ministry of Education has instructed all Auckland schools, early childhood centres and tertiary institutions to close until February 7. The message to motorists in Auckland is still not to travel if you don't have to. Andrew Allen is in charge of all the roads in the Auckland network - he talks to Lisa Owen.  

Wayne Brown accepts communications were not good enough and he has commissioned a full investigation.

Steady rain has continued to fall on Auckland overnight, with another 50 to 60mm settling on an already soggy city. That's well short of the unprecedented 249mm of rain that paralysed Auckland on Friday night, leaving four people dead, homes inundated or teetering on the brink of collapsed cliffs and hundreds of cars left abandoned on flooded Auckland streets. As the crisis quickly unfolded, emergency services fielded thousands of calls for help from all corners of the city. But the weekend has brought much criticism of the response of those at the top - particularly Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown. Joining Kathryn to talk about what Auckland's immediate and long-term needs will be, and how central government can help is Civil Defence Minister Kieran McAnulty and Transport Minister Michael Wood.

Communities across the supercity have been devastated by the rain event - but were all responded to equally? Kathryn speaks with Manukau ward councillor Alf Filipaina who believes some emergency officials failed to react quickly enough to residents in southern suburbs. Waitakere Ward Councillor Shane Henderson was out directing traffic in Massey on Friday night, he talks about the situation out west this morning and North Shore ward councillor Richard Hills updates Kathryn on the flooding there - particularly in the Wairau Valley where two of the four fatalities occurred.

Political commentators Brigitte Morten and Gareth Hughes join Kathryn to talk about the local and central government response to flooding in Auckland and other parts of the North Island. And as new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins cuts his teeth on his first crisis, we also talk about how the transition of power from Jacinda Ardern has gone. Brigitte Morten is a director with public and commercial law firm Franks & Ogilvie and a former senior ministerial advisor for the previous National-led government. Gareth Hughes is a former Green MP and now works for the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa.

Kim Hill talks to Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, and RNZ reporter Rowan Quinn.

Kim Hill talks to Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown about the devastating flooding that hit the city.