Category: Local Government

Source: Auckland Council

Auckland boaters are being asked to stay away from areas of the Waiheke coastline following the discovery of invasive seaweed exotic caulerpa. Local iwi Ngāti Paoa has now placed a rāhui (prohibition) within a nautical mile (1.8 kilometres) of Thompson’s Point and Onetangi bay, where exotic caulerpa has been found.

Waiheke Local Board Chair Cath Handley says the board supports the call by Ngāti Paoa that asks boaters to take steps to stop the spread of the seaweed which can have devastating consequences on native marine ecosystems.

“Ngāti Paoa and the many other groups involved in deterring the spread of exotic caulerpa in the Hauraki Gulf are asking boaters in Waiheke waters to please avoid these areas if possible, and certainly not to anchor or carry out any activity that disturbs the seabed, like fishing or diving while they figure out exactly where the borders of the current infestation are,” Handley says.

Exotic caulerpa seaweed on the seafloor near Aotea Great Barrier Island. Photo from the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Even tiny pieces of exotic caulerpa transferred on anchors, chains, fishing lines and diving gear can spread the infestation to other areas and people are being asked to check gear for signs of the seaweed. Any disruption of the seabed where matts of exotic caulerpa are present can also further the spread to other areas of the Hauraki Gulf by releasing fragments into ocean currents.

The board is being kept up to date with developments on the caulerpa infestation by a Waiheke response group coordinated by the Ministry for Primary Industries that includes NIWA, Auckland Council, Ngāti Paoa and the Waiheke Marine Project.

You can find more information on exotic caulerpa at the Ministry for Primary Industries’ website.
For updates on exotic caulerpa on Waiheke go to the Waiheke Marines Project’s monitoring page.

Source: Auckland Council

The new $81m Papakura Water Treatment Plant will help boost Auckland’s water supply by 12 million litres a day when it goes into service on Thursday 31 August, 2023.

The construction of the treatment plant to reinstate Hays Creek Dam, which had been out of service for 15 years, was fast-tracked by Watercare as part of its drought response back in 2020.

Watercare chief infrastructure officer Steve Webster says the project was split into two stages to ensure the benefit of the extra water could be delivered while Auckland was recovering from drought.

Watercare chief infrastructure officer Steve Webster

“The temporary water treatment plant – and a new watermain to carry the water from the dam – was completed incredibly quickly and in February 2021 gave us a much-needed boost of six million litres of water a day.

“Then, after our new Waikato treatment plant was completed in winter 2021, we were able to start deconstructing the temporary Papakura plant and get cracking on with the permanent treatment plant.”

Webster says Auckland’s water supply is now in a very different position than it was when the project began.

“It’s not lost on us that a project we started during a drought, when dam levels were only about half full, and is finishing in what could shape up to be the wettest year in recent history and dams today at a little over 98% full.

“But what this plant gives Auckland is even more resilience in our water network. The January floods were a reminder that even too much rain can cause problems for our water sources. It caused huge landslips into our western dams, which meant our Huia Water Treatment Plant was operating at reduced capacity for a while there.

“A 12-million-litre boost gives us added water security, which is particularly important as we head into the summer months. To put it in perspective, 12 million litres is enough water for roughly 24,000 Auckland households.”

Watercare project manager Stephan Morkel says the temporary plant built for stage one was mostly built in containers, which worked well on a tight site with limited access.

“The smart Lego-like modular design of the temporary plant meant that it could be easily relocated.

“So things like tanks, vessels, pumps and equipment became part of the new plant to minimise waste and keep the overall project costs down.”

He says the sophisticated new plant will help Watercare to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 27 tonnes a year.

“The permanent water treatment plant contains a mounted solar array made of 296 panels – each 460W – to help make the plant more energy efficient.

“Our operations team has undergone additional training to operate and monitor this plant, as it’s one of the most advanced water treatment plants in the country.

“Along with the equipment from the temporary plant, it contains four membrane trains, dual flocculation clarifiers, solar panels and advanced UV and oxidation treatment systems that treat and keep Auckland’s water safe.

“The materials we didn’t use to build and run the permanent plant are now part of our mobile water treatment system to support temporary works for infrastructure delivery projects or to be used as temporary treatment solutions for our operations team.”

Morkel says the plant was designed with health and safety in mind, with most of the critical infrastructure like cabling and pipes at ground level – reducing the need for people to work at height and spend time on site.

He describes the build as a feat of teamwork: “Everyone went above and beyond to meet the brief.

“I’m proud of this project as it demonstrates technical excellence, collaboration, innovation and exceptional health and safety standards – while bringing tangible relief to the Auckland community.”

Before construction began, it was important for Watercare and its contractor Brian Perry Civil to operate as ‘good neighbours’ with residents, mana whenua (Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Te Ākitai Waiōhua, Ngāti Te Ata), and the local community.

“Great effort was put in to establish positive relationships with all stakeholders, who were included and informed on all significant milestones of the project,” Morkel says.

“Our project team also worked hard to minimise disruptions for neighbours, by providing off-site carparking for contractors, keeping to our specified work hours and managing the upkeep of the site and access ways provided by our neighbours.

“Through this process, we’ve also established a design that can be replicated for future projects – reducing design cost and removing other barriers to innovation and action.

“We wouldn’t have been able to deliver this core infrastructure without the teamwork between our people, the Brian Perry Civil team and the crews on the ground – so a huge thank you goes to everyone involved.”

Source: Auckland Council

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says any decision about the future of the Regional Fuel Tax (RFT) needs to be made with Auckland Council.

Reacting to the National Party’s announcement that they will scrap the RFT if elected, the Mayor said he supported its removal, but only as part of a plan to replace the revenue with time of use charging.

“Auckland Council relies on the Regional Fuel Tax to deliver sensible transport improvements for Auckland, beyond road maintenance and operating public transport.

“We are using the funding for the Eastern Busway, as well as planned upgrades like Lake Road, Lincoln Road and Glendvar Road. These are at risk if the RFT is dropped without a replacement.

“It will mean more delays to sensible projects to optimise our road network and more potholes,” says Mayor Brown.

If the RFT is removed without replacement, it could leave close to a $2 billion gap in the council’s budget.

“It is time that both major parties learned that they need to work with Auckland on transport and stop dictating to us.

“I look forward to sitting down with the Government soon after the election so we can work on an Integrated Transport Plan for Auckland, which will include consideration of how transport projects in Auckland are funded,” says Mayor Brown.

Source: Auckland Council

Various community and wellbeing support is available to you, including free help with processing home insurance claims, rates relief, temporary accommodation assistance, and wider financial and mental health support.

Free support for processing home insurance claims

If you would like support and advice on your residential home insurance claim, the New Zealand Claims Resolutions Service (NZCRS) can help.  

The NZCRS is a free and independent service that provides residential homeowners with advice, case management support where appropriate and access to legal, technical and wellbeing services to help them achieve timely, fair and enduring resolution of their residential insurance claims resulting from natural disasters.   

They are there to help whether you’re unsure of what your insurer is telling you or have specific questions about either your insurance policy or the process that will be followed to settle your claim.

Do your homework before accepting a settlement.

NZCRS Director, Darren Wright says they are starting to see a flow of settlements being presented to homeowners by insurers, and that it’s important for homeowners to understand their rights and obligations. He says homeowners should ask their insurer who will manage the repair – will your insurer arrange for the repair work to be done, or will you be responsible?

“If you receive a scope of work and payment from your insurer, it’s important to understand this is the insurer’s assessment and an interim payment based on what they believe the repair cost and strategy should be. The homeowner needs to engage their own builder to assess the scope and provide a quote for the repair costs. 

“If your builder’s scope is different from the insurer’s assessment, or the money paid by the insurer is not enough to cover your builder’s quote, then get in touch with your insurer. You should clearly set out what is different and what costs are not included. 

“It’s critically important you don’t incur any costs or agree with your builder on any contract until the insurer has accepted the changes and/or the cost variations. If the insurer is going to carry out the repair, it’s still important to check the scope to make sure you agree with it.”

You can contact NZCRS on 0508 624 327, email contact@nzcrs.govt.nz or visit nzcrs.govt.nz

2023/2024 rates relief – how to apply

Auckland Council recently announced it will be giving a 100 per cent rates relief to all households that are uninhabitable as a result of extreme weather events in the first half of 2023.

We hope this support helps to ease the financial burden for those most severely impacted.

If your house was red placarded as at 30 June 2023, you will receive a 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. 

Every property has a unique situation, and some yellow and white placarded homes are habitable while others are not. If you believe your home is uninhabitable, then please apply for rates relief using this online form. We’ll assess each application based on your personal circumstances. Please apply by 1 December 2023.

Insurance payments for rental accommodation about to run out?

If you were displaced from your home by the extreme weather events earlier this year, you may be eligible to receive interim financial support if your insurance payments for rental accommodation runs out. 

The payments will commence from 4 September 2023, but those eligible can receive a lump sum payment covering them from as early as 1 June 2023.

If you would like to apply, there are a few steps you need to complete before you can claim the financial support. This includes registering with Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) and putting in an application with Work and Income (WINZ) which opened on Monday 21 August.

To find out how to apply and for more information including about criteria, visit WINZ. You can also read the government’s 19 July announcement on the Beehive website.

Source: Auckland Council

A temporary change to the dog walking rules at the northern end of Snells Beach will help endangered shorebirds roost and breed in safety.

Snells Beach is a hotspot for threatened and at-risk shorebirds and to protect them, Auckland Council’s dog walking rules are changing from 1 September 2023 to 25 March 2024.

During this time dogs are:

• prohibited from all beach and intertidal areas, north of the Sunburst Avenue boat ramp
• permitted on leash on all reserves, north of the Sunburst Avenue boat ramp.

The beach’s northern area is an important habitat for many native shorebird species which include tūturiwhatu/ NZ dotterel, tōrea/variable oystercatchers and kuaka/ bar tailed godwits. New Zealand’s most endangered bird, tara iti or New Zealand fairy tern has also visited over the past five years.

Auckland Council’s Natural Environment Team Manager Andrew Nelson says that local volunteers with support from council staff are working hard to manage threats to these special shorebirds.

“Volunteers spend many hours preparing for the shorebirds’ arrival, safeguarding their habitat and planting wetland and dune areas.

“Every year our most common Artic migrants, the kuaka, fly non-stop from Alaska to New Zealand. After their incredible 11,000 kilometres flight, they roost at high tide marks on the beach’s northern end.

“Our beaches are busy over summer and kuaka are wary and easily spooked by people and dogs. If the birds are disturbed, they fly away but often they don’t have anywhere else to go. It’s that constant interruption which affects their health and ability to rest and feed.”

Signs reminding people of the temporary rule change will be installed along the beach and on adjacent reserves.

Rodney Local Board Chair Brent Bailey says that for the most part, the need for this temporary change to the dog rules is respected by the community.

“When people walk their dogs elsewhere, they don’t disturb the shorebirds, and they support our local volunteers’ conservation efforts.”

Nearby places for dog walking are:

• South of the Sunburst Reserve boat ramp until 30 November, and from 1 December to 1 March before 10am or after 5 pm
• Goodall Reserve (behind Mahurangi East Library)
• Te Whau Esplanade Reserve (Dawson Road end)
• Dawson Road Reserve.

Dog access rules for all other beach and reserve areas south of the Sunburst Avenue Boat ramp are unchanged. These rules can be found in the Auckland Council Policy on Dogs 2019 document available on the council website.

Any enquiries regarding the temporary change to dog access rules, should be emailed to biodiversity@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

How you can help

• Always give shorebirds plenty of space. Make it a habit to walk on the wet sand to avoid disturbing shorebirds and possibly crushing camouflaged nests and eggs.
• Dog owners are expected to know and follow the rules for the areas where they walk their dogs. This information is available on the council website.
• Cat owners are asked to keep cats at home and inside at night to protect the natural environment.
• Volunteer with a local community conservation group or at your local park and for details, visit tiakitamakimakaurau.nz

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Source: Auckland Council

A new project is underway to grow and restore tree canopy, food forests and gardens for a greener future across Mangere.

The Mangere Ngahere Demonstration Project is a Kāinga Ora initiative and aligns with Auckland’s Urban Ngahere Strategy to increase canopy cover to at least 15 per cent in every local board area.

Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board is supportive of the project and provided funding to develop an analysis of tree cover in the area, which spans about 5,200 hectares and is dominated by Te Pane-o-Mataoho (Māngere Mountain), the Manukau Harbour and Tāmaki Estuary.

Chair Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich says, “Given what our community has gone through with the floods and the ongoing changes to the climate this piece of work is very much welcomed by many.” 

As part of the Maangere Ngahere Project, Kāinga Ora partnered with mana whenua, ME Family Services and Uru Whakaaro to create the Nga Hau o Maangere Ngahere Planting Guide.

The recently launched guide will help contribute to increasing environmental and cultural outcomes for the communities of Mangere — connecting nature, people, and place.

Jenny Chilcott, Ngahere Lead for Kāinga Ora says, “We were so pleased to have been guided by the expertise of both Te Ahiwaru and Te Aakatai in shaping this document.”

“The aim is to understand, restore and enrich ngahere in Ngaa Hau o Maangere, connecting taangata (people), whenua (land), wai (water) and te taiao (environment), and recognising the interconnection of health and wellbeing of all.”

ME Family Services Taiao Team Manager Justine Skilling adds, “It’s so amazing to have such a beautiful book that focuses on the taiao of Maangere. We’re so privileged to be part of this project and see this guide as a way that all of us in Maangere can contribute to the maunga to moana regeneration of our ngahere.”

According to Te Ao Māori values and principles, the guide walks the reader through a decision-making process for choosing the right tree for the right spot.

It aspires to be a readily available tool utilised by everyone engaged in efforts to preserve, revitalise, and regenerate ngahere throughout the many landscapes of Ngaa Hau o Maangere.

Officially launched in June 2023, around 60 representatives from the community and contributing organisations came together for kōrero and kai to celebrate the new guide.

The intention is that the guide will be used alongside Auckland Council, the community and key build and alliance partners to benefit Maangere for years to come.

As part of the larger Maangere Ngahere Demonstration Project, Kāinga Ora is developing frameworks, policies, ways of working and tools for how it can contribute to protecting and enhancing ngahere on all Kāinga Ora properties and the communities it works with.

Ngahere in the Maangere-Otahuhu Local Board Area:

• About 14 per cent of the local board area is public parkland with significant sports parks, including Māngere Centre, Moyle, Walter Massey, Sturges and Seaside parks.

• Large passive reserves include Māngere Domain, celebrated green flag holder Ambury Farm Regional Park and Ōtuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve, which contains pockets of remnant rock forest with karaka, pūriri and tītoki.

• Key biodiversity sites include Ōtuataua, Ambury Farm, Portage Road Reserve, Puketutu Island, and Pūkaki Lagoon.

Map is from the Nga Hau o Maangere Ngahere Guidelines

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Source: Auckland Council

Auckland Council wants to know if you think Māori seats should be introduced onto the Governing Body of Auckland Council.
To help you provide your feedback, we’ve summarised some key points to consider…

What are Māori seats?

Currently, our Governing Body has one elected mayor and 20 councillors elected from general wards. These councillors speak on behalf of their communities when major decisions are made that determine how our city can continue to thrive. No councillors specifically represent voters who are on the Māori roll.

Councillor Kerrin Leoni says without Māori representation at the highest level of decision-making, Māori communities are at risk of not being heard.     

“Yes, I am Māori but I represent voters in the Whau general ward – not Māori voters. We have no councillors who specifically speak for Māori on the Governing Body,” says Councillor Leoni.

“This is important to ensure Māori have a voice at the table when we decide how to allocate resources and how we can best support the needs of everyone in Tāmaki Makaurau.”

To fill Māori seats, Māori wards will need to be established so voters on the Māori electoral roll can elect one or two councillors on the Governing Body. Māori wards will sit alongside general wards, with the number of seats determined in proportion to population. Read more about Māori wards here.

Why is this important?

Decisions made at the Governing Body table are big-ticket items that impact on everyone – from deciding how much we contribute through rates, to long-term regional planning. Read more about the Governing Body here. 

The Independent Māori Statutory Board (IMSB) currently advocates for Māori in council decisions by participating in committees and voting on issues covered by those committees.

But IMSB members do not have any input on Governing Body decisions, nor do they represent Māori voters on council decisions. The IMSB is a separate entity, set up by law – to ensure Auckland Council acts in accordance with the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is well-informed on issues of significance for Māori in Auckland.

Why now?

This is the first opportunity for Aucklanders to choose Māori seats. Previously, Auckland Council has been limited in its ability to introduce new seats because our council (unlike any other council in New Zealand) has the number of councillors set at 20. That restriction has now been lifted through a recent central government law change.

Another challenge has been the ability for public polls to overturn council decisions on Māori seats. That provision was removed in 2021. Since then, 32 of 78 councils around Aotearoa have now introduced Māori wards, resulting in more than 60 newly established Māori seats around the country. 

Why it’s important to have your say…

Auckland’s mayor and councillors want feedback to help them make the right decision.

“We are asking all Aucklanders to tell us how they want representation to look at the Governing Body table” says Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown.   

“I encourage everyone to speak up so we can approach this decision well-informed about what Auckland wants – to bring in governance change or keep the status quo.”

To introduce Māori seats, Auckland Council would like feedback about whether to do this using the existing formula, or whether it should seek legislative change.

The current legislation means that election by Māori voters happens in the same way general ward councillors are elected. This process is called the parliamentary model and will allow for one or two Māori seats on the Governing Body. Māori voters on the Māori roll would vote for a Māori ward councillor instead of a general ward councillor.

Elected Māori seats are provided for in the Local Electoral Act 2001, and a formula is used to determine how many seats a council might have. This is to ensure proportional representation for all councils who wish to introduce Māori representation. 

An alternative, which would require a change to the law, is for two Māori councillors to be elected and one Māori councillor appointed by mana whenua. This is known as the royal commission model, which guarantees representation for mana whenua – iwi or hapu with ancestral rights over the land in Tāmaki Makaurau. The Royal Commission into Auckland Governance advised that this was a good model for Auckland in 2009.

How do I make a submission?

Don’t delay – consultation closes on 24 September 2023. You can have your say simply by completing the feedback form here.

To find out more, read the Māori seats for Auckland Council consultation document or summary, and FAQs here.

You can register for an online webinar on 28 August here, or attend an Auckland Libraries drop-in session:

• 29 August – Te Manawa Library (Westgate)
• 31 August – Central City Library; 10:30am -12pm
• 6 September – Te Paataka Koorero O Takaanini Library; 10:30am -12pm

Marae information hui will be held on:

• 4 September – Papakura Marae; 1-4pm
• 8 September – Hoani Waititi Marae; 1-4pm

What happens next?

After you’ve had your say, the Governing Body will consider feedback and aim to make a decision on 26 October 2023.

If Auckland Council does establish Māori seats for the 2025 local elections, these seats will be determined through a representation review. This involves a review of councillor numbers and is required by law every six years.

Source: Auckland Council

Totara Park Mountain Bike Club and Manurewa Local Board have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop quality biking facilities within the park.

Board chair Glenn Murphy says the Totara Park Masterplan includes growing a range of recreation opportunities while protecting and nurturing the park’s unique natural character.

“There’s no suggestion the park is going to suddenly get covered in tracks,” he says.

“It’s much more around working on a shared vision with the club, whose members volunteer huge numbers of hours to maintain and improve what is already within the park.”

“Totara Park is a much-loved asset that serves the community and people from a wider base, and the number of people attracted to it to make use of the riding tracks is testament to that.”

He says the club is aiming to provide a well-maintained mountain bike trail network that is suitable for a wide range of ages, skills and fitness levels, while also protecting the park’s environment.

“The MoU is a formal way of recognising that we will work together to nurture and develop recreational objectives and experiences within Totara Park,” Murphy says.

Board and club members celebrate a deal that will see riders working with Council to further develop facilities within Totara Park.

Club spokesman Kelvin Hieatt, a member of the neighbouring Papakura Local Board, says the groups being able to work together will make it easier for club members to do everyday tasks.

“At the moment it’s a case of riders identifying little maintenance needs and having to have them addressed by Council staff when we could very quickly get on to them ourselves.”

“Our members are incredibly grateful to have such a good facility within the park and this move will allow us to share a vision about what more could be done working collaboratively.”

Totara Park is one of Auckland’s largest destination parks, covering 216 hectares and including a wide range of activities, landscapes, ecologies and stream systems.

The site was bought by Manukau Council in 1966 and retains rolling hills grazed by sheep and cattle, but with significant stands of bush containing kauri, puriri, totara and nikau, some of the best examples of a lowland broadleaf forest in the city.

Murphy says shared tracks extend through the bush as well as across paddock areas and alongside Puhinui Stream, connecting to the Auckland Botanic Gardens to the southwest.

“With a tennis court, swimming pool, barbeque area, bridle trail and equestrian centre, walking tracks, adventure playground and mountain bike trails, it’s critical the long-term development and day to day operational activities are carefully co-ordinated.”

“Working with the mountain bike club makes sense, further cementing a productive working relationship and empowers the club to deliver improvements for the benefit of the riders as well as visitors who share the tracks and general facilities.”

Hieatt says the club was formed to develop, foster, and maintain the dedicated mountain bike facility within Totara Park.

“Our aspiration is to work with Council to deliver the best run bike park in Auckland.”

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Source: Auckland Council

Mayor and Minister of Transport reveal priorities for an Auckland Integrated Transport Plan

 

A faster, less congested, more resilient, low carbon transport system for goods and people is on its way for Auckland, with Mayor Wayne Brown and Minister of Transport David Parker confirming their vision and priorities for an integrated transport plan for Auckland.

“Auckland’s transport network faces a range of challenges which both the Minister and I agree will require legislative change and a more integrated partnership approach to decision-making across central and local government.

“We’ve agreed rapid transit is essential for the Auckland region and is a core priority for the Auckland Integrated Transport Plan. That includes speeding up buses, making the best of rapid transit projects that are underway and planning the next phase of the rapid transit network, including light rail,” says Mayor Brown.

David Parker says the recently issued draft Government Policy Statement for Land Transport includes commitments to key public transport projects for Auckland, as well as more money for maintenance.

“The Government will prioritise work on Northwest Rapid Transit, and we have agreed that further planning and investigation of the Airport to Botany rapid transit corridor is required,” he says.

Other key priorities for the Auckland Integrated Transport plan 2024-27 announced today include:

• Optimising the existing network – by working together to implement time of use charging to replace the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax, implementing dynamic bus lanes on key arterial routes to make buses faster and more reliable and reducing traffic management-related costs.
• Building resilience into Auckland’s Transport system – by funding maintenance and renewals at a sustainable rate to improve the condition of the road network and working together to align the Making Space for Water programme and transport investments.
• Identifying efficiencies and reprioritisation options – by ensuring low-cost transport solutions are fully examined before expensive programmes are agreed to, acknowledging that appropriate maintenance of the road surface is a road safety issue and examining funding for road safety to ensure they are delivering a reduction in deaths while meeting community expectations.
• Completing and maximising the benefits of current projects – by supporting removal of level crossings required for the City Rail Link to meet its potential and the completion of extensions to the Eastern Busway.

• Plan for the Port of Auckland to consolidate and move from its current location – by progressing planning work on key projects that allow increased used of rail freight between Auckland & adjoining regions, including the rail line from Avondale to Southdown, and time of use charging to support moving trucks to off-peak times.

“There is joint recognition that Auckland’s port will consolidate and ultimately move from its current location. While the timing and pace will depend on several factors and is likely to take decades to complete in full, the Minister and I agree consolidation should commence within three years.

“Aucklanders want us to deliver a faster, more reliable transport system and this progress towards an integrated transport plan includes sensible interventions to speed things up,” says Mayor Brown.

Source: Auckland Council

Auckland Council’s Governing Body yesterday approved in principle a more than $2 billion recovery package to improve Auckland’s storm resilience and co-fund buyouts for properties that are most vulnerable to extreme weather in the future.  

Auckland Council’s Group Recovery Manager, Mat Tucker, says that reaching this agreement with central government is a major milestone for recovery in Tāmaki Makaurau.

“Having this financial commitment from the Government means we are closer to giving people certainty about the future of their homes and can get on with the work needed to build more resilient communities.

“Because of the major financial commitment needed from Auckland Council, the Governing Body’s in-principle approval to the cost-share arrangement with the Crown requires consultation with Auckland ratepayers.

“For two weeks from mid-September, we will be seeking Aucklanders’ views on the government’s financial support package. The short timeframe for consultation balances the need to give everyone an opportunity to have their say with the need to provide certainty as soon as possible for displaced families. We recognise that many people are in very difficult financial situations and are anxiously awaiting answers.”

The package provides $774 million for Category 3 property buyouts, with a 50/50 cost share between Auckland Council and central government.

“We are now closer to being able to offer buyouts to people whose homes are assigned Category 3. These are situations where there’s an unacceptable risk to life from future flooding or landslides.  

“There are still complex details to be worked through, namely how we’re going to fairly calculate the value of homes being purchased. What we do know now is that any buyout offer will be less any insurance payout the owner might have received, so we’ll be working closely with the insurance industry to make this as straightforward as possible for property owners.

“We know people will have many questions on the technical and legal implications of the buyout programme, and we are working to be able to provide more details in the coming weeks.”

Property site visits as part of the categorisation process are ongoing. These on-site assessments are critical to determine whether a home has a high or low risk from future flooding or landslides, and whether there is a practical solution available to reduce the risk. Where there are no practical solutions, homes will be placed in Category 3. Read more in the last property categorisation update here.  

Muriwai update

Another major milestone was reached yesterday with the removal of 45 placards at properties that were impacted during the devastating landslides earlier this year.

Mat Tucker says that the geotechnical assessment programme to fully understand the risk to life from large-scale slope instability in the area is now substantially complete and a draft copy of the report will be shared with affected property owners in Muriwai on Monday.

“The draft results have shown that 45 properties in Muriwai can safely have their yellow or red placard downgraded because they are at low future risk, and we expect that about 10 more will follow soon. This means that repair work can take place if needed, and families can return home. This will be an emotional time for those families and is an incredibly significant milestone in the community’s recovery.”

The remaining properties within the geotechnical study areas will have an initial category provided next week.

“Some of the properties in Muriwai will be clearly in Category 3 and they will be eligible for a voluntary buyout when the programme is confirmed. Others properties will be considered initially Category 2 in the government categorisation which means they are high risk but need further investigation to understand if there are any practical engineering solutions that can make the property safe to live in. If there are no practical options, these homes will also be Category 3.” Read more about the property categories.

Mr Tucker says this is a continuation of placard downgrading work that has happened over the last few months.

“Where homes have been repaired, or new information has become available to show there is no risk to life at the property, we have removed placards. During the course of the geotechnical study, our engineering partner GHD has identified areas where groups of homes were able to have placards removed.

“Getting people back into their homes is one of the most important roles of the Recovery Office, and we’re pleased to make further progress on this.”