Category: Auckland Council

Source: Auckland Council

Regional parks, growth-related community assets, sports fields, cemeteries and public art are among a range of assets for Aucklanders that have had almost $50 million of funding confirmed through Auckland Council’s Capital Investment Work Programme. The funding for financial year 2023/2024 was approved by councillors in the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee on Thursday.

“The funding is a timely and significant capital investment for Tāmaki Makaurau and will help the region continue to regenerate following on from the extreme weather events earlier this year,” says Councillor Richard Hills, Chair of the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee. 

“This funding will have a positive and tangible effect on our public facilities and is necessary to ensure our environmental, cultural and community taonga are protected and enjoyed now and into the future.”  

Close to $7 million has been invested in regional parks’ infrastructure. This includes upgrading community facilities, car parks, walking tracks and public toilets. 

“Aucklanders love our regional parks, their recreation opportunities and the biodiversity they protect, this investment will help improve the experience for our residents and enhance the experience of visitors at regional parks across Tāmaki Makaurau.” 

The Auckland Botanic Gardens has been allocated just over $2 million for extensive upgrades including to the irrigation systems and water features. 

“Many residents and visitors to the city really enjoy a day out at the Auckland Botanic Gardens and this investment will make visiting this iconic taonga even more enjoyable,” Councillor Angela Dalton, Deputy Chair of the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee says. 

“Many residents and visitors to the city really enjoy a day out at the Auckland Botanic Gardens and this investment will make visiting this iconic taonga even more enjoyable,” Councillor Angela Dalton, Deputy Chair of the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee says. 

The Botanic Gardens funding is part of close to $16.4 million of the total Capital Investment Work Programme budget allocated to the Regional Renewals and Development work programme and will also fund regional parks, farming, holiday parks, cemeteries and Pukekawa/Auckland Domain. 

Meanwhile, $950,000 will go to slips prevention and remediation which will help areas already affected and build resilience for the future.   

Investment highlights 

Auckland Botanic Gardens 

A number of small-scale assets will be renewed such as nursery irrigation, shade house facilities, CCTV, some paths, interpretation signage and car park lighting. Funding allocation: $2.2 million.  

Pukekawa / Auckland Domain 

The sports field drainage and wastewater pipe network will be upgraded, and the path network will be upgraded and extended.  Funding allocation: $1.4 million.  

Regional parks 

Some key projects that will benefit from $6.7 million funding include improving Long Bay water supply and rebuilding the workshop at Shakespear Regional Park. Work will also be done at other sites including Atiu Creek and the Hunua Ranges. Funding allocation: $6.5 million. 

Local parks and sports field development 

New growth-related parks including Te Kori Scott Point (Hobsonville), Ray Fausett Reserve (Franklin) and a new neighbourhood park in Ōrewa. There are also major upgrades to East View Reserve (Glen Innes), David Lange Reserve (Māngere), Colin Maiden Park (Stonefields) and Riverhead War Memorial Park. Funding allocation: $10.9 million. 

Slip prevention and remediation 

Significant work will be carried out to protect the Parnell Baths site and access from rock fall. Work will also be carried out to construct a retaining wall to protect the fence and boundary line at Crawford Reserve (Howick). Funding allocation: $950,000. 

Public art 

The archway of Waharoa in Aotea Square will undergo remedial work.  A 3D laser scan will mean a digital record can be kept. New collaborative work is planned with Circuit to create six new digital media art works in locations around Auckland. 

Source: Auckland Council

Space for a kura, issues around mangrove removal, the need for better playgrounds, road safety, speeding cars in suburban streets and dozens of other community issues were raised at Papakura Local Board’s Have Your Say event.

Held in the Sir Edmund Hillary Library, board chair Brent Catchpole says the in-person event provides members with a chance to interact with the public.

“It’s easy to take part online at Council’s Have Your Say site, but there’s no substitute for meeting with people who have something to say.”

“What happens is that you can have a discussion at a meaningful level because people can explain what they mean, hear responses and ask further questions.”

He says having foreshore adaptation experts on site and being able to provide information on other consultations, such as on speeds around schools, was an added bonus.

“The event became a bit of a one-stop shop, which is exactly what we wanted. And we even had Cook Islands Language Week events going on at the same time for the little ones.

“We can’t promise ukelele music at Te Paataka Koorero o Takaanini when we do it all again on Wednesday 9 August between 10.30am and noon but we’d love to see more people telling us what they want included in our plan.”

Manurewa got good feedback at its in-person event. While there are no more events, there is still time to submit online.

Neighbouring Manurewa Local Board has also held an in-person event, local board chair Glenn Murphy says it gave members access to residents making impassioned pleas for their communities.

“I won’t say there’s no substitute for talking directly because there is. While our in-person event might be over, there’s still time until consultation closes on 14 August for people to have a say online.

“Local Board Plans are really important because they set out the way forward in your local areas, and the more we hear from our people, the more we have to base our decision-making around.”

At Franklin, the city’s most southern board – and one of its biggest, stretching from coast to coast, consultation events continue at Awhitu, Kawakawa Bay and Beachlands over the weekend.

Turnout at other events has been down on previous years but board chair Angela Fulljames says the bulk of submissions usually don’t come until the final week. “We hope that pattern is repeated because the local board plan is probably the most significant document locally. It governs where we head in local communities for the next three years.

“There’s still time to get involved, and I’d encourage everyone to do so.”

Information and a link to Have Your say for Papakura is here, for Manurewa here, and for Franklin here.

Stay connected

To sign up for a board’s monthly e-newsletter go here for Papakura, here for Manurewa or here for Franklin.

Source: Auckland Council

The “roaming pig of SH16”, who had avoided capture for the last couple of weeks, has finally succumbed to the lure of food and walked into a specially laid trap. It is now being looked after at the Henderson Animal Shelter. 

“We’re delighted to have caught this animal. It’s eluded everyone for some time but it’s satisfying to know it is safely contained and no longer a danger to motorists on the busy State Highway 16,” says Auckland Council Animal Management Officer Clarke Trethowen.

This afternoon at 3.15pm the council’s Animal Management team received a priority call from police to say the pig had been caught. The camera set up by Waka Kotahi to monitor the area the pig had been seen frequenting, alerted officers it was trapped.

Two officers were immediately dispatched, with one officer heading directly to scene and the other to collect the stock trailer.

On arrival the AMO confirmed the pig was safely contained in the trap, and with help of Waka Kotahi and Police, was able to load it onto trailer without incident and it was safely transported to the Henderson Animal Shelter.

The pig will remain a guest at the shelter until it is claimed; if the owners does not claim it, Auckland Council will begin the rehoming/adoption process.

Source: Auckland Council

Understanding the flood risk for your property has become simpler thanks to a new online tool launched by Auckland Council. The Flood Viewer is a free application that breaks down complex, technical flood risk data into an easy-to-understand format and sits alongside practical advice on how to prepare for floods.

Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters Head of Planning, Nick Vigar says a key step in being ready for severe storms is improving people’s preparedness for floods and awareness of flood risks.

“If Aucklanders know they live in a flood hazard area, they can plan to manage stormwater on their property, and know what to do before, during, and after a flood.”

Flood Viewer is easily accessible on your smartphone, tablet or desktop from the Auckland Council website. Aucklanders will be able to explore a searchable map showing flood plains, flood prone areas, overland flow paths, and coastal inundation areas. Flood maps will be continually updated, and Aucklanders can check the viewer regularly to remain up to date with the information about their properties.

“We’re providing people with information, but also suggesting ways to make their properties and families more resilient in a flood, such as moving vehicles and animals out of low-lying areas and making improvements to their property to reduce flood risk. As wFloodviewe learn to live with more frequent extreme weather and flooding, we need to build resilience into our homes and communities.”

“We see people using this tool not only to understand the flood risk where they live now, but also as part of making informed decisions when looking at somewhere new to buy or rent. Previously, access to flood risk information was only available by purchasing a Land Information Memorandum (LIM report), or through the GeoMaps tool (available on desktop only).

“Tāmaki Makaurau experienced unprecedented flooding in 2023, and we can expect more frequent events like these in the future. Auckland Council has made increasing community resilience to floods a priority, and part of this is giving people the tools to make smart decisions to prepare themselves and their homes.”

Auckland Council is prioritising flood readiness, and from today is seeking Aucklanders’ views on Making Space for Water, a proposed series of stormwater improvements including increased maintenance, community, and site-specific solutions to manage flood risks. If approved, the programme would include a significant investment in stormwater infrastructure in our city. In the meantime, council is accelerating work areas like flood modelling, enabling the development of Flood Viewer.

As part of the consultation throughout August, the council also wants to hear feedback from Aucklanders to develop the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Plan. This will provide an opportunity for Aucklanders to share their experiences of the extreme weather earlier this year and communicate their needs and aspirations for recovery in general.

The Have Your Say consultation period started today and will include community drop-in sessions and online information sessions. Aucklanders have until 31 August to share their views. Visit www.akhaveyoursay.nz/stormrecovery for more information.

Auckland Council is also currently consulting on the Auckland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Plan, visit https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/cdem-group-plan for details.

Source: Auckland Council

Six projects dominate the $135,000 of funding allocated under Papakura Local Board’s Infrastructure and Environmental Services work programme.

Board chair Brent Catchpole says the work programme operates in a three-year cycle and the latest funding is the final year.

“The projects under this work programme align with outcomes identified in the 2020 Papakura Local Board Plan.

“Our largest allocation is $50,000 for Pest Free South Auckland, which is work we are continuing to support that will fund pest free initiatives across our area.

“Our neighbouring boards are all invested in the programme as we work to increase pest free initiatives, that have seen everything from weeding and planting days to widespread animal trapping and even small children eagerly hunting out moth plants.”

The Papakura Waste Minimisation programme receives $20,000 and goes into its fifth year of funding.

“This work supports residents to reduce their waste and live sustainably, and this year’s funding is based around workshops to give residents the practical skills they need to cut waste.

“We are grateful for the outstanding work of Sustainable Papakura in this area. Their amazing volunteers do so much great work at a sustainability hub that has rapidly become a drop-in hub for the community and a workspace.”

Work to restore the mauri of Te Koiwi pond, undertaken with Papakura Marae, continues.

The budget line for Wai Care was set at $32,000, work Catchpole says includes a school programme that enables students to undertake stream and marine health investigations, and to act in their own schools and local communities.

“There’s also $14,000 for our Papakura Stream restoration efforts alongside our neighbours in Franklin and Manurewa, and $11,200 for our Te Koiwi pond enhancement programme with Papakura Marae.

“Work at Te Koiwi will go into a third year and supports a partnership approach to regenerating the park and pond that honours kaitiakitanga responsibilities shared by mana whenua and the marae.

“It’s exciting work that will also see an education programme with the marae community, mana whenua, local artists, schools, rangatahi, and others to advocate for the catchment as the ecosystem improves.”

He says the final project might be the smallest funding at $8,000 but it is the board’s contribution to the Manukau Harbour Forum.

“We are one of the nine boards bordering the harbour and are committed to joining with those eight other boards to raise the profile and enhance the health of a precious asset.”

The work programme also includes $70,000 in asset-based services capital expenditure to investigate the redevelopment of the Bottle Top Bay Esplanade.

Stay connected

Want to stay up to date with all the latest news from your area? Sign up for our Papakura Local Board E-news and get it delivered to your inbox each month. 

Source: Auckland Council

Mayor Wayne Brown and Council’s Governing Body met again this week to consider credible options for the release of parts of the Port footprint back to Council so that it can be developed for the enjoyment of all Aucklanders and provide better access to the harbour.

At a series of confidential workshops, council staff, independent advisors Flagstaff Partners, GHD Engineering and Eke Panuku discussed the draft findings of land release options for waterfront land.

The independent advisors and Eke Panuku presented a high-level preliminary feasibility study which identified the possible first stage of land release, redevelopment options and commercialisation opportunities.

“I want us to deliver to Auckland the most beautiful and loved publicly owned waterfront of any harbour city in the world, and this is a first step,” Mayor Brown said.

Stage one of the release would focus on the redevelopment of the central wharves – Queens Wharf, Captain Cook Wharf, Marsden Wharf, and the Hobson Wharf extension – for a mix of uses, activities and development with Bledisloe Wharf to follow in the not too distant future.

“I have strong public support for getting more public access to the harbour. By freeing up and developing these valuable waterfront spaces, we have an opportunity to create a world-class arts, culture and entertainment destination that celebrates our identity and evokes pride in Aucklanders.

“We can create an open space that interacts with the harbour with the potential for an urban beach or tidal pool where people can actually touch the water, while housing a water-based amphitheatre for maritime events and activities that will attract thousands of local and international visitors. It also has the potential for an international event and exhibition venue and a Te Ao Māori showcase centre, to celebrate our rich cultural heritage.

“I’m pleased with the progress made on this work so far, which is indicating that there is a pathway to return a portion of land back to public use within the next 2 to 5 years without undermining the Port operation, while delivering significant wellbeing benefits for Aucklanders.

“As far as the port operation goes, we are just following on from the work commenced by the previous Mayor and council and I think it is worthy of consideration.

“I am still opened minded about the best solution and am genuinely interested in hearing what councillors, the Maritime Union and users of the Port and Aucklanders think about it,” Mayor Brown said.

To help inform master planning for the Ports of Auckland and infrastructure for the wider region, council has canvassed the views of port operators and investors on potential approaches to deliver on its ownership objectives for the POAL.

This process and the outputs will remain confidential and there will be a significant public consultation process before any further progress is made.

Source: Auckland Council

Throughout August, Aucklanders are being invited to provide feedback on plans for major investment in Tāmaki Makaurau to help recover from the extreme weather events that took a major toll on the region in 2023. The scale and complexity of the challenges is significant, and Auckland Council is charting a path for recovery that will improve resilience to storms and empower communities to take action.

Tomorrow will kick off four weeks of engagement so Auckland Council can hear from Aucklanders on two programmes:

• The Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Plan – to understand Aucklanders’ experiences of extreme weather earlier this year, and their needs and aspirations for recovery and resilience.
• Making Space for Water – to comment on a series of stormwater projects that will reduce future flood risk.

Mayor Wayne Brown says Aucklanders’ feedback on these plans for important projects that will shape Auckland’s future is vital.

“The Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Plan is to focus on the longer-term recovery and help us respond to the considerable challenges we face. In addition, we have identified nine initiatives that can help to manage flood risks that we call Making Space for Water.”

Mat Tucker, Auckland Council’s Group Recovery Manager, says the focus for the recovery is building smarter, in partnership with central government, iwi, and Aucklanders.

“We want to hear more about how the storms this year affected homes and communities, so we can consider what’s needed to achieve more resilience for our city.”

“We have been working closely with groups of affected property owners across the region, but we know that the impacts of the storms extend beyond homes into communities. This consultation provides an opportunity for all Aucklanders to have their say and shape how we recover together.”

“Climate change means we can expect to see more frequent extreme weather events, and we have the responsibility now to change the way we work with nature to soften the blow when storms come,” says Mr Tucker.

Nick Vigar, Healthy Waters Head of Planning, says that changing our thinking around the traditional piped approach to stormwater management is needed to recognise the changing weather patterns we will experience.

“Storms cause damage when we see extremely heavy rainfall that is beyond what our pipes are built to handle, and the water’s natural flow path is blocked by buildings or debris, he says”

“It’s not practical to build pipes big enough to take all stormwater from every conceivable event so we need to make space for water to flow safely through communities without causing damage to people and properties”.

The council is working with central government on solutions for homes that were affected by extreme weather this year, or those that may be at risk in the future. In some cases, engineering solutions may be enough to mitigate future risk, but where there is no practical or affordable solution, properties may need to be removed. 

The proposed Making Space for Water programme includes removing properties from high flood risk areas and creating new parks and reserves that are available to communities on dry days, while providing open spaces for water to flow through the landscape during storms, called ‘blue-green’ networks.

Other recommended initiatives include increased maintenance, improvements to culverts and bridges, and stream rehabilitation.

“Auckland has over 15,000km of streams, these initiatives will make significant improvements in the way we manage flood risk and stream health. Healthy streams perform better when dealing with high water volumes, and rehabilitation work could involve stabilising banks and native planting to reduce erosion and improve water flow.”

Community-led flood resilience will also be an important aspect of the programme.

Mr Tucker says that the council also has a role in ensuring Aucklanders know what to do before, during and after a flood.

“We want to empower communities to mitigate flood risks before a flood happens. Knowing more about how floods happen and being prepared is part of the challenge of learning to live in our new environmental reality.”

Aucklanders can have their say online or in person. Community drop-in sessions will be held from tomorrow, and times and dates for these are available on the AK Have Your Say website. Also available on the site will be an online submission form, translated materials, and details of online information sessions.

The results of this public engagement will be reported back to the council’s Governing Body in September and will be used to inform the final shape of both programmes. We encourage Aucklanders to have their say here: www.akhaveyoursay.nz/stormrecovery.

Auckland Council is also currently consulting on the Auckland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Plan, click here for details.

Source: Auckland Council

Rates are an essential part of the funding that allows Auckland Council to maintain a vibrant and sustainable Tāmaki Makaurau. It’s how we fund the services and facilities that matter and helps creates a city where all Aucklanders can thrive. 

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

Auckland Council is an $8-billion enterprise, managing its finances to ensure essential services and infrastructure are provided for the ongoing wellbeing of our community. 

Council’s financial decisions balance the needs of today with the demands of the future.  

Just like a household budget, Council budgets are how we allocate where the money that comes in gets spent. Rates and other fees and charges are like household income on a large scale, providing the necessary funds for maintaining and improving the region. 

The Annual Budget 2023/2024 includes an overall rate increase of 7.7% for the average-value residential property and an average general rates increase of 11 per cent (or $4.87 a week). 

What is the purpose of rates? 

Rates are property owners’ contributions to a shared investment in our community’s well-being. Rates help maintain and enhance the infrastructure, parks, facilities and services that make Tāmaki Makaurau a great place to live. 

Council’s assets such as parks, roads, libraries, community centres, and other public facilities provide value to the community and enhance our quality of life. 

Auckland Council acts as a responsible steward of community assets, ensuring they are well-maintained and utilised efficiently. Just as you take care of your home and its value, council manages assets to preserve their long-term worth for the benefit of the community. 

We’re continuing to support the region’s long-term future by investing a record $3.2 billion in new assets or replacing old ones in the 2023/2024 financial year. Libraries, pools, leisure centres, community buildings and many other the services loved and well-used by Aucklanders are maintained and run by rates funding.  

It also includes work on some of the most complex projects ever undertaken in New Zealand, like the City Rail Link and Central Interceptor for wastewater, and continuing to invest in sports fields, urban regeneration, new parks and open spaces, local facility upgrades and better public transport.  

Rates are how we share, between property owners, a portion of the cost of services the council provides across the region. 

Aucklanders share access to all the services the council provides across Tāmaki Makaurau. Rates are not calculated by individual service, nor are they a fee for service. They fund all council activities not fully funded by other funding sources like fees and charges or central government funding.  

Individual ratepayers might not use every council asset or service either by choice or other circumstances. However, the principle is that they are made available across the region and create an Auckland we can be proud of.

How do Auckland Council’s rates compare to other cities? 

Many other councils generate between 60 and 74 per cent of their income from rates; for us that figure is around 40 per cent.  

However, comparative analysis of council rates should always be treated with caution as service provision and funding policies vary from council to council. 

In Auckland, water supply and wastewater services are provided separately and invoiced by Watercare Services Limited (WSL). Other councils recover the cost of these services through rates.  

Another example is that one council may fund rubbish collection from rates whereas a different council may fund it from the sale of rubbish bags.  

One council may have a significant investment in tourist attraction whereas another council may only provide a minimum service.  

Auckland Council rates also cover the services previously delivered by the former Auckland Regional Council, whereas non-unitary councils do not include the rates for regional council services. 

How can I have my say on how rates are spent? 

We ask for Aucklanders’ feedback on the proposed spending for the region and for their local board areas through our Annual Budget and 10-year Budget processes. 

More than 40,000 Aucklanders gave their feedback on Auckland Council’s proposed Annual Budget 2023/2024, the most feedback received for any public consultation by the council. 

So, how does Auckland Council spend your rates? 

For any given year council prepares an Annual Report where you can see exactly where the money was spent as well as the services provided for that. 

Rates support services we all think of like waste management, libraries, public transport, parks, and community facilities. 

However, it is so much more than that – rates are your contribution to creating a city that all Aucklanders can thrive in and be proud of. 

Source: Auckland Council

Auckland Council decided on 27 July to support residents in need with 100 per cent rates relief for uninhabited storm damaged homes, following severe weather events in the first half of 2023. 

Group Recovery Manager for the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office at Auckland Council, Mat Tucker, said for those who require it, we’ll be offering the same 100 per cent rates relief in the following rating year as well.

“We are thinking of those whānau who have been uprooted from their homes and continue to face hardship and uncertainty. Our staff have observed the trauma many of you are feeling, and we recognise its tough right now. Many households are under financial pressure paying mortgages for homes they can’t live in plus additional costs in temporary accommodation. Our support is targeted at those most severely affected to help ease the financial burden they are facing.”

What is available for uninhabitable homes?

Red placarded houses

Red placarded houses as of 30 June 2023 will receive 100 per cent rates relief for the full 2023/2024 rating year.  A credit will be automatically applied to rates invoices, so you don’t need to do anything.

Yellow placarded houses

Every yellow placarded property has a unique situation, and some are habitable while others are not. If your home is uninhabitable, then please apply for rates relief using this online form. Applications will be assessed based on personal circumstances.

Supporting homeowners

A disaster like this can take its toll. The support team in the council’s Recovery Office are ready to offer a helping hand to those who need it. Email the team on recoveryadvisors@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to get connected with agencies who might be able to offer financial, accommodation, insurance or mental health support.

Staff in the council’s Recovery Office have been busy behind the scenes engaging with government agencies, insurers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and banks to advocate for increased financial support for displaced homeowners and tenants. You will find an update on what additional support might be available in the Frequently Asked Questions section below.

“We will continue to advocate on behalf of Aucklanders displaced by adverse weather events and will keep you updated on what assistance is available”, says Mr Tucker.

Keep checking the Recovery page for the latest information, news and support on the recovery and repair of Tāmaki Makaurau.  

Frequently Asked Questions

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 relief is targeted at those people with uninhabitable homes who have been affected most. 

Why do yellow stickered households have to apply for rates relief?
Yellow stickered houses include a range of different scenarios that affect liveability depending on the extent and location of damage on the property and the stage of remediation. We need to understand more about your individual situation. 

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 this 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. 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.        

I don’t qualify for rates relief, and I’m concerned about my ability to pay?
If you are concerned about your ability to pay rates, and would like to find out more about the flexible financial assistance options on offer, such as a payment plan, you can contact our Credit Control team directly on 09 373 6869 or email rates.collections@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

Can I provide feedback about my flooding experience and suggest improvements for the future?
Yes, we encourage everyone to have their say to support the recovery of Auckland and help build flood resilience for the future. From 3 August until 31 August 2023, Auckland Council are running a consultation and we’re keen to hear your feedback. More information can be found here: akhaveyoursay.nz/stormrecovery

What was the outcome in advocating for increased financial support for displaced homeowners and tenants?
During our meetings with banks, they have assured us that they are committed to working with their customers experiencing financial hardship. We urge people to contact their mortgage provider to discuss what support is available.

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 aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/rent-assistance.

Do you have any further information about the property categorisation process?
We are hosting two webinars in the near future with an update on property categorisation. Attendees will also have an opportunity to submit questions in advance. More details including how to register will be posted on the Recovery page soon.

Who do I contact if I have more questions that are not answered here?
If you have further questions, please contact our Recovery Office Support team on recoveryadvisors@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Source: Auckland Council

The impacts of climate change have hit Tāmaki Makaurau hard this year, through more intense rainfall events, rising sea levels and higher temperatures. While reducing emissions is vital to addressing the climate emergency, our climate action plans include a variety of other initiatives. Here are three of them:

Zero-waste by 2040 – Reducing food waste

Whether it’s scraps or uneaten food, food waste often ends up in landfill where it decomposes and releases harmful greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide and methane). Food waste is created in two main ways, both of which we are targeting.

Firstly, Aucklanders throw out tonnes of perfectly good food each year which could have been eaten but, for various reasons, was not. Auckland Council is one of the 52 councils and community groups who support Love Food Hate Waste in their efforts to reduce the amount of edible food thrown out each year.

Secondly, the food scraps we toss out make up nearly half the weight of the average household’s rubbish. If you have a garden, many of these scraps can be turned into compost, but technology now exists in New Zealand for them to be collected and converted into renewable energy and fertiliser.

Parul Sood, General Manager Waste Solutions at the council, says around 180,000 lockable 23-litre food scrap bins with kitchen caddies and compostable liners have so far been distributed to Auckland households. It’s part of the service rollout that aims to cut food scrap waste by 30 per cent.

Since the start of the rollout 1400 tonnes of food scraps have been sent to Ecogas’ organics processing facility in Reporoa, which uses anaerobic digestion to turn food scraps into liquid fertiliser, and biogas that is then converted into renewable energy, which is used in greenhouses to grow more food.

Food scraps are converted into biogas and liquid fertiliser at Ecogas’ organics processing facility in Reporoa.

The Urban Ngahere (Forest) Strategy – Quantity and quality

As temperatures rise, we need to make our urban areas cooler, and we’ll also require ways to slow water run-off during heavy rain to reduce pressure on stormwater systems. Planting more trees can do both – and more.

Our Urban Ngahere (Forest) Strategy aims to increase regional tree canopy cover to 30 per cent across urban areas, and at least 15 per cent in every local board area by 2050. The council has an annual tree planting programme and, on average, plants around 10 hectares of new trees each year in regional parks and thousands of trees in the road corridor and local parks. The tree planting effort is enhanced by other initiatives, such as increasing the capacity of local tree nurseries and planting fruit trees in parks. Work is now underway in the central city to turn Victoria Street into a linear park (Te Hā Noa), with a swathe of vegetation creating a green corridor connecting Albert Park to Victoria Park.

Howell Davies, Urban Ngahere Specialist at Auckland Council, says the species of tree selected for planting is now more important than ever. It is essential that only tree species that are climate ready are being planted to ensure the urban forest is resilient to rising temperatures. Council is continuously reviewing the resilience of tree species alongside the impacts of climate.

The council is also now starting to use the i-Tree Eco software developed by the United States Forestry Service and specially adapted for New Zealand to gather information about individual trees. This provides data about the ecosystem benefits the trees provide, including their ability to reduce pollution, sequester carbon, produce oxygen, retain (intercept) stormwater runoff, and enhance the energy savings of nearby buildings.

The software can be downloaded for free and can be used to assess existing trees and predict the benefits of planting in specific areas. The use of the software is expected to assist not only council, but also community groups, volunteer organisations, schools, and housing developers.

Pest Free Auckland – Ensuring natural environments flourish

Planting the right trees in the right places is vital for addressing the climate emergency. To safeguard biodiversity and restore council-managed land, Auckland’s Pest Free initiative collaborates with landowners and groups to control pests and plant native species on public and private land.

Wendy John is one of the cofounders of Ngā Ringa o Te Auaunga Friends of Oakley Creek, which has been working since 2004 on restoring central Auckland’s longest stream and its surrounding environment. The group is one of the most successful and busiest in Tāmaki Makaurau, coordinating hundreds of volunteers from community groups, educational institutions and corporate and organisations to plant trees, trap pests, pull out weeds, monitor water quality and grow native plant seedlings.

Wendy John, one of the cofounders of Ngā Ringa o Te Auaunga Friends of Oakley Creek.

One of the biggest supporters of Ngā Ringa o Te Auaunga is Auckland Council, which allocates funding and provides equipment like animal traps. Wendy says there’s a huge difference in the environment since the group was established in 2004. In the first six months of its trapping programme, around 1150 possums were caught – that’s down to just two or three now.

Planting more native trees also means welcoming more native birds. “Kererū used to be quite rare so the first time I saw them there, I was so excited,” says Wendy. “We’ve even had a couple of kākā who have flown over from the Hauraki Gulf.”

Last year, Ngā Ringa o Te Auaunga ran 271 events – not including trapping and guided walks – providing numerous opportunities for the community to join forces to ensure the natural environment flourishes.

Revegetation and pest trapping at Te Auaunga (Oakely Creek) has seen more kererū return to the area.