Category: Auckland Council

Source: Auckland Council

A group of Japanese junior high school students from Kakogawa City have been given a taste of home by Henderson-Massey Local Board and given a reminder of the special links between Kakogawa and west Auckland.

The students, on an educational tour of New Zealand, were welcomed by board members to the iconic Japanese garden complex adjacent to Henderson Civic Buildings.

The garden, gifted to the people of west Auckland by Waitakere City’s sister city Kakogawa, was a special stop in their 10-day visit to New Zealand.

Henderson-Massey Local Board Chair, Chris Carter,  former MP for Te Atatu and NZ Education Minister, in welcoming the students said “It was a great pleasure to host you in our local area. Kakogawa City has a special connection to west Auckland and we hope this trip will help you better understand our country.”

The Henderson Massey Local Board was in a strong position to welcome the Japanese visitors with two Local Board members, Will Flavel and Brooke Louder fluent in the Japanese language. Both addressed the students in their native tongue and explained the special connections between the former Waitakere City and their home city of Kakogawa.

The special peace bell, gifted to former Mayor Bob Harvey, by the city of Kakogawa was sounded by two of the Kakogawa students who also joined their fellow students in performing a traditional Japanese dance. Board members sang ‘Te Aroha’, a waiata (song) about love and peace, as a greeting for the students.

The Japanese garden adjacent to Henderson Civic Building is inspired by the traditional ‘Viewing Gardens’ that originated in 15th century Japan. The Henderson-based garden combines New Zealand natives with exotic and Japanese plants and is designed to reflect the partnership between Waitākere City and Kakogawa.

The former Waitākere City Council and the city of Kakogawa signed their friendship agreement back in 1991 and became sister cities the following year.

Source: Auckland Council

Auckland community groups and organisations are being encouraged to apply for the Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund before applications close next week.

The Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund supports projects that help reduce waste and reuse or recover resources as part of Auckland’s goal of sending zero-waste to landfill by 2040.

Successful projects have ranged from installing composting systems to manufacturing prototypes for market testing in the construction industry. Grants awarded are from $1,000 up to $50,000.

Organisations which have successfully applied in previous years include schools, community trusts, residential groups, and entrepreneurs and businesses.

Schools like Dawson Primary in Ōtara where students are passionate about their environment and seek out ways to make a difference in their community.

Teacher Anna Latulipe says the students enjoy taking part in programmes such as Garden to Table and Enviro Schools. Making the most of the students’ enthusiasm means ensuring they can gain practical skills and knowledge.

When Anna learned of the Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund, she realised it could be used to give the children experience composting food scraps and green waste from the school gardens.

“With the funds, we bought three carbon cycle composting boxes, which make sorting so much more attractive as the system is easy and efficient. The students were heavily involved in setting up the compost bins and attending workshops. They are very proud to collect and sort our waste and take care of our environment.”

Several successful grant recipients have focused on replacing wasteful practices in the construction industry. Bracedon creates reusable temporary bracing which replaces the need for timber during house construction. Timber struts are often not used again and end up in landfill.

Bracedon director Brandon Botting says there are people with great ideas on waste minimisation, but they need the funds to take that first step.

“The Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund allowed us to create prototypes to test on construction sites. Being able to do this has allowed us to make sure we have product that is fit for purpose. Without it, we wouldn’t be anywhere near as far with our journey as we are now.”

Community groups, schools and businesses within the Auckland region are eligible to apply for grants between $1,000 and $50,000.

Applications close Thursday 31 August. The funds must be spent in the 2024 calendar year.

This year for the first time, organisations applying for grants under $5000 can opt to provide part of their application in the form of a video.

For more information go to the Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund page on the Auckland Council website.

Source: Auckland Council

Auckland Council’s Revenue, Expenditure and Value Committee has hit its savings target for the year. The committee received an update from council staff in its 22 August meeting that it has successfully achieved its $5 million savings target for the 2023/2024 financial year.

The $5 million formed part of the savings identified in the Annual Budget 2023/2024 and was achieved from a review of revenue, capital, and operating budgets.

Councillor Maurice Williamson, Chair of the Revenue, Expenditure and Value Committee noted the achievement while acknowledging that this is the beginning of a substantial work programme designed to deliver value for money to Aucklanders.

“The achievement of the $5 million operating budget savings means the committee has met the target that it was allocated to help reduce the overall $325 million operating budget gap,” says Cr Williamson.

“However, given the one-off nature of the savings items outlined in this report and the ongoing need to respond to significant financial challenges, the work doesn’t end here. This is just the beginning – we will continue to work with council staff to investigate further savings opportunities for the next financial year and beyond.”

How was this target reached?

Staff have been undertaking line-by-line reviews, mainly focussing on expenditure trends highlighted by the chair of the committee, as well as areas identified by questions from elected members about specific budget lines.

Through line-by-line reviews, interest cost savings and insurance premiums, council staff were able to work with the committee to achieve this target.

Description	Amount
Line-by-line reviews	$1.4 million
Interest cost saving	$2.4 million
Insurance premiums	$1.2 million
Total	$5 million

About the committee

Originally named the Expenditure Control and Procurement Committee, the committee was established to work with the council to make financial savings. 

This included overseeing proactive identification of money saving opportunities and considering the cost effectiveness of the governance, funding and delivery across Auckland Council and its Council-controlled organisations (CCOs).

This committee has now been superseded by the Revenue, Expenditure and Value (REV) Committee. The REV Committee will continue to work with the council on cost effectiveness and financial savings and has an expanded scope which will be reflected in a revised forward work programme.

Source: Auckland Council

Property Categorisation

Can you explain what the delay is in the negotiation process between the Government and Auckland Council, and will further delays affect the categorisation process?

The negotiation process covers really complex issues and represents a significant cost to both ratepayers and taxpayers. We need to make sure we get this right the first time. The negotiations will inform major complex financial and policy decisions that will have long term implications for Auckland. We regret that the process has been delayed, as we want to get certainty for homeowners as quickly as possible, but we need to get it right.

The negotiation process does remains confidential, but as soon as we have an outcome we can share, we will. We are hopeful that negotiations will conclude shortly.

What’s taking so long to provide a category, compared to what they’re doing in the Hawkes Bay?

There has been comparison with the Hawke’s Bay, where they’ve been able to move groups of homes en masse from Category 2C to Category 1 once the repairs are made to something like a stopbank. Auckland’s denser built urban environment and land typography is very different, so in Auckland we need to go property by property to assess whether there are any options to reduce the risk to the people living there.

In Auckland, we estimate up to 5,000 individual flood assessments are required, in addition to 250 geotechnical inspections (plus geotech studies in Muriwai, Piha, Karekare). Each property’s circumstances are unique, and it takes time to work through the information, we want to ensure we assign the correct category to a property.

This scale of site assessments will take months to complete. The skills shortage in the technical fields of flood and geotechnical engineering prevent us being able to do this work faster. A challenge we’re dealing with is sharing a limited number of specialists with affected regions – professionals that were in short supply even before the disasters. In the case of geotech, we’re contracting teams beyond Auckland to help with the desktop work because there’s just not enough resources available here.

Is Category 3 just for properties with a risk of loss of life from flood or landslide, or does it also apply to properties that are unrealistic to repair due to damage sustained?

Category 3 applies to future risk from flood or landslide, however in most cases where a property was damaged and is unrealistic to repair, it is likely that the future intolerable risk. There may be a few exceptions, and community-level flood protection options will play a part in determining future risk.

If my property is placarded red/yellow, why can’t you tell me it’s category 2/3?

The placarding process and the risk categorisation are two different and independent processes – the colour of a placard doesn’t determine a property’s risk category.
Rapid building assessments were used to assign placards. These assessments determine whether a building is safe to occupy and if it poses a safety risk to others based on the current state of the building and / or land. Following a rapid building assessment, a building will receive a placard.

Placards (or ‘stickers’) indicate a building’s level of safety and whether people can be in it. Only authorised officials can place, change or remove them. A white placard means there are no access restrictions, a yellow placard means access is restricted, and a red placard means access is prohibited.

As part of the property risk categorisation process – your property is being assessed based on the likelihood of impacts and risk to life during future severe weather events. This is the key difference between this process and placarding – this process is looking at future risk whereas placarding looked at immediate safety risks and whether your property was safe to be in now.

This site assessment looks at whether there are changes that can be made on the property or surrounding area to reduce the future risk of serious flooding or landslides to the home. This includes considering Auckland Council’s proposed “Making Space for Water” initiatives for flood affected properties. If there aren’t any practical and financially viable solutions and there is an intolerable risk to life, then it’s likely the property will be Category 3.

Can property owners have an influence on the final categorisation of a property? / Will there be an appeals process if I disagree with the category assigned to my property?

Once we have assigned your property a category, there will be an opportunity to provide additional information if you disagree. We will take an evidence-based approach to assigning categories, including technical site assessments where needed.

What is the process for changing from an initial Category 1/2 or 2/3 to Cat 1, 2 or 3?

Where a property is marginal and could go between two categories, we’ll need to do a further site assessment to look specifically at your property. We will speak with you directly to explain this if you fall into one of these scenarios, and we’ll seek your permission before visiting your property.

This site visit will look at your individual property to identify whether there’s a practical mitigation available to protect your home. If there isn’t any practical solution, your home will be considered Category 3.

When will the details of the process that will follow categorisation for Cat 2 and Cat 3 be available?

These processes are still being worked through, and will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Some details will be determined by the government negotiations – for example what financial support may be available for Category 2 homes. There are also decisions that Auckland Council will need to make specifically for Auckland, such as whether the Council agree the government co-funding offer and how things such as property valuations are set. We expect Aucklanders will be consulted on their views and preferences relating to the proposal for Category 3 buyouts during September.

We know that you need to understand what is next after you receive a category, and we are working to confirm these details as quickly as we can.

How will the property buy-out process work and when will it occur?

We are working with central government to determine the process for buy-outs and the timeline, and when we have more detail we will let you know.

It’s important to remember that policy framework and systems and processes to do this at the scale that is needed across Auckland don’t exist and importantly, the funding doesn’t exist. Any property buyouts will need significant funding from ratepayers and taxpayers.

Auckland Council will need to consult with Aucklanders on the cost of the programme and the financial commitment needed.

How will buyout valuations be calculated and by whom?

Auckland Council is working on a valuations policy that will be confirmed after the cost share negotiations with central government are complete. We will look to determine a fair and reasonable approach that recognises the significant financial hardship faced by homeowners and balances the high cost of a buyout programme to Auckland ratepayers.

Will Auckland Council remove some of the barriers to getting resource consents for remediation (eg timing, costs)?

Auckland Council’s Recovery Office is discussing this with our Regulatory Services team and will provide some further information when we have it.

Will property owners be able to access funding for property specific remediation?

The Government has indicated it is prepared to co-fund property-specific protection work. Details of this are still being worked through as part of the negotiations with the Government. Council is preparing advice for property owners

Remediation work to repair damage that isn’t designed to protect the property from future risk would be expected to be covered by property owners, in most cases through insurance.

Will Auckland Council allow any remediation on council land?

This would be considered on a case by case basis with the Parks and Community Facilities department as the reserve administrator (where applicable) and manager of the park land. Parks and Community Facilities have a land owner approval process that provides a structured approach and advice for any proposed works.

If a Category 2 property is unable to receive resource consent, will it be moved to Category 3?

This would need to be considered on a case by case basis on the particular circumstances.

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Rates Relief

Why is the council offering rates relief?

We are aware of the financial hardship experienced by many of those impacted by extreme weather events during the first half of 2023. This rates remission is targeted at those people with uninhabitable homes who have been affected most by the extreme weather events in the first half of 2023.

Do I qualify for rates relief?

Auckland Council agreed a rates remission programme to support residents in need with 100 per cent rates remission for uninhabited storm damaged homes. Red placarded houses as of 30 June 2023 will receive 100 per cent rates relief for the full 2023/2024 rating year. Homeowners that received a yellow or white placard can apply for rates relief if they are unable to live in their home. More information is available here.

When will my property’s rating valuation be reassessed?

If there has been significant and long-lasting physical damage because of the extreme weather events in the first half of 2023, you can request a rating valuation review. Otherwise, your rating valuation will remain as it is until the next city-wide revaluation which is due for publication late 2024 and will be used to set rates for the 2025/2026 rating year.

What are the property risk categories?

The risk categories are different from the coloured placards that were assigned to damaged homes after the storms this year.

Category	Definitions	Examples
1	Repair to previous state is all that is required to manage future severe weather event risk.	Minor flood damage to repair but no need for significant redesign or retrofitting.
2C	Community level interventions are effective in managing future severe weather event risks.	Local government repairs and enhances via flood protection schemes will adequately manage the risk of future flooding events in the face of climate change effects.
2P	Property level interventions are needed to manage future severe weather event risk, including in tandem with community level interventions.	Property specific measures are necessary e.g., improved drainage, raising houses. Benefits accrue to property owners, but some may face affordability issues.
2A	Potential to fall within 2C/2P but significant further assessment required.	Interventions might be possible or required, but there is insufficient information to provide initial categorisation. The property may move between two categories or to categories one or three.
3	Severe weather event risk cannot be sufficiently mitigated in the future. Some current land uses may remain acceptable, while for other properties there is an intolerable risk of injury or death.	In the face of enhanced climate risks, the property may face an unacceptable risk of flooding in the future. Other properties could be subject to unstable land that poses an ongoing risk.

Source: Auckland Council

Multiple tracks at Waitākere Ranges Regional Park remain closed due to slips or dangerous trees. We ask the public to respect all closures and not remove any barriers or signage currently in place for their own safety, and to not add to environmental damage in the area, including the threat of spreading kauri dieback disease.  

Our park rangers and staff are continuing to assess damage and accessibility, with a view to opening more areas as soon as practicable, taking into account the impact on residents.

A number of tracks suffered major slips and flooding that are unlikely to be resolved in the near future. However, we are still receiving geotechnical advice to work through what our options are, and no final decisions regarding long-term track closure have been made at this point.

We continue to encourage visitors to check our map of open and closed tracks on the Auckland Council website before heading out.

Tracks that have recently reopened:

• Upper Nihotupu Dam walk

Damaged tracks are likely to reopen in the short to medium term:

• Comans Track
• Ahu Ahu Track
• Gibbons Track
• Muir Track
• Slip Track
• Caves Track (Whatipu)

Damaged tracks that will not be open for some time:

• Laird Thomson Track
• Tasman Lookout Track
• Marawhara Track
• White Track
• Lion Rock Track
• Lake Wainamu Track (full loop)

Damaged tracks awaiting geotechnical reports:

• Gannet Track / Takapu Refuge
• Quarry Track
• Lookout Track
• Edwin Mitchelson Track
• Knutzen and Kitekite tracks (including access to Kitekite Falls)
• Zig Zag track

Note for Piha residents: The Eel bridge (Footbridge) at Piha Domain has recently been inspected by Council staff, and we can confirm the bridge is structurally sound and safe for use. Some minor maintenance issues unrelated to this year’s weather events have been identified, which will be attended to in due course.

Stay up to date

Sign up to the recovery e-newsletter to get the latest updates direct to your inbox.

Source: Auckland Council

Bobby is a star in the biosecurity world; now she’s hoping to be the People’s Choice in New Zealand’s Top Dog with a Job Awards for 2023, an award that celebrates a top dog that makes a positive difference in our society for the work they do to.

Around 400 dogs with jobs were nominated for this year’s awards; these have now been whittled down to just 20 of which Bobby is one.

A Blue Heeler Cattle X, Bobby is part of Auckland Council’s biosecurity dog team and spends her days with handler Brian Shields, working amongst some of the country’s most vulnerable species.

Handler Brian Shields & Bobby

Her nose is in demand as she is trained solely to find Argentine ants, one of the world’s top 100 invasive species which if they get established, would have a huge impact on vulnerable wild and bird life.

One of only two certified conservation dogs to specialise in this species, she works the Auckland region and on New Zealand’s pest free islands where her work helps protect some of the rarest species in the world.

To win the award, Bobby needs Auckland Council employee’s support; go to the website below and vote for Bobby and let’s make her the leader in the pack! Voting closes at 9.00am Friday 25 August.

https://www.frogrecruitment.co.nz/cast-your-vote-for-2023-NZTOPDOG-Peoples-Choice/41

Source: Auckland Council

We’ve created an online webinar especially for Auckland homeowners whose property or neighbourhood was impacted by severe weather in early 2023.

Date: Tuesday 5 September 2023
Time: 6.30 – 7.45 pm (may go over time)
Register now: Register to attend by clicking here

Our team will be covering topics such as:

• The different property categories in the Government risk framework and what it means for you
• The difference between property categorisation and coloured placards/stickers
• How high-risk properties are identified
• Update on the property buyout process
• How to access information and support
• Answering your frequently asked questions (submitted prior to the webinar)

You can expect to receive the most up to date information, presented in a way that’s easy to understand. Some homeowners are feeling unsettled about what the future holds, which is understandable. We’ve allocated time during the webinar to answer questions and concerns. There is an opportunity to submit questions before the webinar starts and we’ll answer them anonymously during the webinar to protect your privacy.

If you haven’t already, please register to attend by clicking here

Frequently Asked Questions

What is property categorisation?

It is a process that categorises the risk to you and your home from extreme weather and it is different to the coloured placards/stickers that have been issued. Property categorisation will apply to you if your property in an area that is identified as a possible risk of flooding in the future or was affected by a landslide. At its heart, property categorisation is all about keeping you and your whānau safe by identifying future risks to property and people when there is a pattern of severe weather.

Why is the property categorisation process taking so long?

We know some people are feeling frustrated with the time it is taking to confirm a category for your home. It is a delicate balance between moving as fast as possible to create certainty for homeowners who desperately need it; and making quality decisions that are the right ones for Auckland in the long-term. Find out more with our recent story on Our Auckland.

Have you completed the landslide and flood registration form?

We contacted affected property owners in June to request they complete the flooding and landslide registration form. If you haven’t already done so, please fill out this form here to be part of the property categorisation process.

How can I get the latest news, information and updates on what’s happening with storm damaged properties, infrastructure and communities?

Stay informed by signing up to regional or location specific e-newsletters here.

What if I can’t attend the webinar?

A recording will be available in our e-newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter here.

Source: Auckland Council

From August 21 to September 24, Aucklanders will be asked for their views on whether Auckland Council should have Māori seats on its governing body.  

The Governing Body will consider this feedback in October to decide on Māori seats for the 2025 local elections.  

The feedback provided through this consultation will not be the only factor considered when making a decision. It is an opportunity for Māori and the wider public to have their views heard and considered.  

“This decision is significant for all Aucklanders – not just Māori. Your feedback will help shape a future that’s right for Tāmaki Makaurau,” says Councillor Kerrin Leoni.  

“Many councils around the country have already successfully established Māori wards. We now have an opportunity to create stronger partnerships that will benefit everyone living in our city. 

“Auckland has the largest Māori population in the country but we have no seats representing Māori voters.”   

A key decision on establishing Māori seats is how representatives will be selected. Aucklanders are being asked for feedback on three options:  

• The Parliamentary model (Māori wards) 
• The Royal Commission model 
• A different model 

The Parliamentary model will allow for one or two Māori councillors, according to a formula determined the Local Electoral Act 2001. 

The Royal Commission model will allow for two elected Māori councillors and one appointed mana whenua seat – but requires new legislation.  

Council will be hosting online, in-person and marae-based events for people to have their say.  

Visit Māori seats for Auckland Council website for more detail.  

Source: Auckland Council

We know that for some people, rates are a considerable cost, including those affected by the severe weather earlier this year.

If anyone is concerned about being able to pay rates, we encourage them to get in touch with our credit control team to discuss the options available, including a rates postponement scheme and flexible payment options.

If you have difficulties paying your property rates, there is help available including a range of options for low-income households and community groups.

Our credit control team can be reached on rates.collections@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to discuss what options are available and how we can help.

When are rates due?

You need to pay your property rates on or before the four instalment dates:

Instalment number	Instalment date
Instalment 1	Thursday 31 August 2023
Instalment 2	Thursday 30 November 2023
Instalment 3	Wednesday 28 February 2024
Instalment 4	Friday 31 May 2024

Can I make part payments?

Yes – you can make a part-payment into your property rates account at any time.

You can use any payment method we offer, as long as you pay the full amount of your property rates instalment by the due date.

What happens if I am late paying my rates?

If you do not pay the full instalment amount of your property rates by the due date, we will add a 10 per cent penalty to the amount left to pay.

What happens if I don’t pay my property rates?

If you have a mortgage recorded on your property, any arrears (debt owing at 30 June) will be notified to your mortgage provider.

If you do not pay the outstanding amount within 90 days after we have notified your mortgage provider, we will request that they make this payment on your behalf.

We notify your mortgagee (usually a bank) after the fourth instalment due date has expired. In early August, we inform them that, if you do not pay the outstanding amount within 90 days, we will request that they (the mortgagee) make this payment on your behalf.

If a property is mortgage-free, our legal team will pursue the outstanding rates directly with the owner. If this does not result in payment, the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 allows us to demand the sale of a property to recover unpaid rates.

Why is it important to pay rates?

Rates are property owners’ contributions to a shared investment in our community’s well-being – it’s your contribution to creating a city that all Aucklanders can thrive in and be proud of.

Rates support vital services like waste management, maintaining community buildings and playgrounds, emergency management, as well as public transport, pools, public art, and libraries. 

You can read more about what your rates pay for here.

Help for low-income households and community groups

You can apply for a property rates rebate

Follow our guide on the Auckland Council website to check if you are eligible for a property rates rebate. We will help you through the application process and list the information needed to support your application.

The closing date for property rate rebates for the 2023/2024 financial year is 30 June 2024. However, we suggest that you submit your completed application early to avoid missing the closing date. It can take up to two months to process a rebate if you submit an application between August and November, or between April and June.

You can apply for remission (reduction) of property rates penalties

If you make a property rates payment after the due date, we may apply penalties.

We may be able to remit (reduce) your penalties under some circumstances. For example, if you have paid after the penalty date for no more than one instalment, but you have not received a property rates penalty remission under the policy within the past two years.

When a small balance is overdue which is uneconomical to collect, we may write off the balance in line with our other procedures. We will not apply penalties in these circumstances.

You can request a postponement of a property rates

Postponement of residential property rates payments provide you an option to postpone all or part of your property rates payments for an agreed period of time.

Rates relief, support and information for Aucklanders with storm impacted properties

Is there rates relief for those properties impacted by the severe weather?

On 27 July, the Governing Body agreed to provide a 100 per cent rates remission for 2023/2024 for properties uninhabitable as a result of severe weather events from the first half of 2023 with a further remission of 100 per cent in 2024/2025 for properties that remain uninhabitable as at 30 June 2024.

Red placarded properties automatically get 100 per cent rates relief applied to their rates invoices. Yellow placarded properties will need to apply using this online form.

What does uninhabitable mean?

All properties with red stickers on 30 June 2023 are considered uninhabitable.

If your property has another coloured sticker and you believe it is uninhabitable because of the extreme weather events in the first half of 2023, please apply using the online form and we will assess your situation. All applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

When will my property’s rating valuation be reassessed?

If there has been significant and long-lasting physical damage because of the extreme weather events in the first half of 2023, you can request a rating valuation review by emailing ratesrelief@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

For all other properties, your rating valuation will remain as it is until the next city-wide revaluation which is due for publication late 2024. This ratings valuation will be used to set rates for the 2025/2026 rating year.         

What other financial support is available for displaced homeowners and tenants?

We encourage residents displaced from their homes to recheck their eligibility for financial assistance through the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). You can contact MSD by calling 0800 559 009. You can find out more information on how MSD can support you by visiting workandincome.govt.nz

From 4 September, those people who left their homes because of extreme weather events earlier this year, will be able to receive interim financial support when their insurance payments for temporary accommodation run out. Find out more here or email our recovery team.

Auckland Council has met with representatives of the banking industry, and they have assured us that banks are committed to working with their customers experiencing financial hardship. We urge people to contact their mortgage provider to discuss what support is available.

Source: Auckland Council

Another major milestone in Auckland’s storm recovery will be reached on Monday with the lifting of the Motutara Road cordon, at Muriwai.

The main road into Muriwai, Motutara Road was closed in February due to a landslide during Cyclone Gabrielle.
Mace Ward, Auckland Council’s Deputy Group Recovery Manager says that though the landslide was eventually cleared, Auckland Council had ongoing concerns about the area and work has been underway to ensure it could be safely reopened.

“We engaged geotechnical specialists to thoroughly assess the area, and their advice is the road can be safely reopened with the removal of unstable properties above the road. These properties were successfully cleared this week, and we’re pleased to confirm the road will reopen on Monday.

“As part of our work to clear the road, we were delighted we were able to retrieve some personal belongings of great value to the owners of the homes that were damaged, including some jewellery and some precious vinyl records that were thought to be lost.

“The removal of these houses is bittersweet for the owners of these properties, and we must recognise the major impact the weather events this year had on people’s homes and families.

“While restoring access through Motutara Road is a milestone we are pleased to have reached, there is still more work to be done in Muriwai. Six months on, this community is still hurting from the impact of the extreme weather events.

“Many people are still displaced from their homes, and we’re working to support them as we get closer to having clarity on next steps. Our geotechnical assessment of the wider area is almost complete, and homeowners will start receiving initial property risk categories at the end of the month.

“This technical work will also enable us to accelerate the removal of building placards, meaning that some people will be able to safely return to their homes.”
The cordon at Domain Crescent will remain, with residents’ access only and 24/7 security in place.

Driving on the beach

Vehicle access to the beach via Coast Road will reopen on Monday 4 September. Mr Ward says that four-wheel drivers will be pleased to return but wants to remind permit holders that additional care will be needed.

“There have been significant changes on Muriwai Beach over the last seven months, with dunes starting to revegetate and some wildlife returning. Those using the beach may encounter a lot more bird life and a few seals. As a visitor to their environment, please ensure that your actions minimise any disruption to them.

“We would encourage you to take this opportunity to ‘reset’ how you use the beach – refresh yourself with the skills you need to drive on a beach and please be respectful of the environment and community. Make sure your tyre pressure is correct (lower than for general road driving), and that you have the right equipment. Check out the tides, and be aware of no-go areas.

“You have to give way to everybody else if you are a vehicle on the beach. Make sure you’ve sorted your paperwork too – no access without a permit, current registration, and warrant of fitness.”

Click here for information on Muriwai Regional Park, and also see our Rules for driving on Muriwai and Kariotahi beaches.