Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group
Auckland Emergency Management is coordinating assistance to communities affected by the January 2023 severe weather event.
Auckland Emergency Management have established community and information hubs for information about the severe weather and what support is available to you.
For welfare assistance, you can call the Ministry of Social Development on 0800 559 009.
As the situation continues to evolve, Auckland Emergency Management advises that people keep up to date with the latest travel advice by following Auckland Transport on Twitter @AT_TravelAlerts and by checking the Waka Kotahi website: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic-and-travel-information/
Water supply and wastewater network
Watercare’s water treatment plants are operating and your water is safe to drink.
Watercare’s water treatment plants are operating and your water is safe to drink.
Residents living in Titirangi, Woodlands Park, Oratia, Greenbay, Waima and elevated sections of Scenic Drive are likely to have no water or low water pressure for at least the next 48 hours.
A 30-metre-long section of water pipe that ran along Scenic Drive in Titirangi was washed away with the road due to a landslide. It will be challenging to repair due to the extent of the damage and access to the site.
Watercare is sending out water tankers to the area. Customers will be able to fill up their water bottles from the tankers.
Residents on the North Shore are asked to reduce their water use. Please keep your showers short and do not use your washing machines. This is to reduce the volume of wastewater leaving your properties.
A wastewater pump station on Wairau Road that serves several suburbs on the North Shore has been flooded. This means the pump station is overflowing into a nearby waterway.
The wastewater networks and treatment plants have been overwhelmed by stormwater, causing numerous overflows across Auckland.
Watercare is prioritising overflows that are damaging private property. Most of the clean-up activity will need to occur when the rain stops, as this is when the overflows will stop flowing.
It is important to clean and dry your house and everything in it. Floodwater may contain sewage and other hazardous materials which can contaminate your home.
If your gas meter has been affected by water or debris, contact your gas supplier.
Always work safely when cleaning up after a flood by wearing protective clothing and washing hands thoroughly after clean-up and before handling food.
Keep children and animals away from previously flooded areas until they have been cleaned and made safe.
Take photos and videos of the damage and anything that needs to be thrown away before starting the clean-up, for insurance purposes.
Clean up, drain, and dry inside as quickly as possible. Take out everything that is wet and that can be moved – floor coverings, furniture, bedding, clothing, etc., and put them outside to dry when the weather is fine.
Throw away all food and drinking water that has come in contact with floodwater, including things stored in containers.
Do not eat garden produce if the soil has been flooded. Clean up and remove debris and sprinkle gardens with lime.
Traffic and travel updates
As the situation continues to evolve, Auckland Emergency Management advises that people keep up to date with the latest travel advice by following Auckland Transport on Twitter @AT_TravelAlerts and by checking the Waka Kotahi website.
We are anticipating further rainfall so please keep an eye on the weather forecast
Please only return to your property if it is safe to do so
Do not drive through floodwaters and remember it could be contaminated
Hazards and debris could also be beneath the surface
Information for domestic and international visitors
If you are travelling to New Zealand via Auckland please check with your airline, travel agent and travel insurer directly about any disruptions that may impact you.
If you are in New Zealand and travelling in Auckland and other parts of the North Island , please stay safe by checking with Waka Kotahi about any impacts to highways.
Some businesses like restaurants or tourism operators may be affected, please check to ensure they are operating.
New Zealand’s i-SITE visitor information network is also available for you to talk to about alternative travel options in New Zealand.
If your life is at risk, phone New Zealand’s emergency services on 111. The National Emergency Management Agency website civildefence.govt.nz has links to regularly updated information such as emergency accommodation and welfare support.
Where to get help and support
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has activated the Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) to assist people who are unable to return to their homes to find suitable temporary accommodation.
TAS can help you find temporary accommodation now or in the future. You can also reach out to TAS if you are staying in emergency accommodation or with friends or whānau and, think you will need longer-term accommodation while your home is repaired, rebuilt or you are unable to access your home.
Register your details via our website www.tas.mbie.govt.nz or call 0508 754 163 to discuss your needs.
Our team will contact you to assess your needs and work with you to help you find suitable temporary housing.
There is a cost for temporary accommodation and the TAS team will work with every household who needs the service. If you are uninsured, or your insurance policy doesn’t cover temporary accommodation, you may be eligible for financial assistance. Our coordinators can advise you which agencies may provide financial support for the event that has damaged your home.
If you are the tenant or landlord of a rental property www.tenancy.govt.nz has information on your rights and obligations after a natural disaster.
Insurance and lodging a claim
If your home, car, or contents have been damaged by the severe weather, take photos before you remove or repair anything and report it to your insurance company as soon as possible. You only need to contact your insurance company and they’ll let you know what you need to do next, how to claim and – if applicable – how EQ Cover from Toka Tū Ake EQC works.
If you need to make your home safe, sanitary, secure, and weather tight, please record the work done, take before and after photos, and keep copies of the bills you paid.
If you are an uninsured homeowner, contact the EOC Welfare team on 0800 22 22 00.
If you don't have house insurance but do have contents insurance, speak to your insurer about what is covered. Make sure you take lots of photos and keep good records before you throw anything out, where possible.
FREE, INDEPENDENT ADVICE IS AVAILABLE
The New Zealand Claim Resolution Service is available to help people navigate the claim process. This is a free, impartial service provided by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). Homeowners impacted by any natural disasters who would like to discuss their insurance claim with NZCRS can call 0508 624 327, email contact@nzcrs.govt.nz or visit www.nzcrs.govt.nz
Tenancy information
If you are the tenant or landlord of a rental property, you can find information on your rights and obligations at www.tenancy.govt.nz or by phoning 0800 TENANCY (0800 836 262).
Schools and early childhood education centres
The Ministry of Education supports all schools and early learning services to help them recover from the event. Parents and caregivers should check with their school or early learning service for updated information.
Check with your school or early childhood centre to see if they have been affected by the floods.
Education has put up a link on their website for this event:
Health care services across Auckland are continuing to provide care if you need it.
All hospitals, including emergency departments remain open. If you are seriously unwell and need emergency care please dial 111.
For less critical non-emergency care, people can continue to phone their GP in the first instance. Phones will be managed 24 hours, either directly or through an after-hours duty GP. Most GPs who would normally be open at the weekend have been able to open usual.
For urgent, less serious, health concerns when your doctor is unavailable, contact your local accident and medical centre. A list of these is available on Healthpoint. All clinics are open as usual.
Community pharmacies can support you if you don’t have your regular prescription medications. A list of open pharmacies can be found on Healthpoint.
We now have clinical support to the South Auckland Information Hub through our Māori and Pacifica Providers.
For general health advice, or if you’re just not sure where you need to go to seek help, call Healthline 0800 611 116.
Please be extra careful if you are travelling as there may be road closures still in place; check ahead to make sure your normal route is open and safe to use.
Wellbeing
The following information will also help you with general wellbeing.
Anxiety is very common during an emergency event such as a flooding and evacuations. This is a normal response to a very stressful situation. Talking to people and helping others can be both therapeutic and useful.
If you need further support for yourself or for others:
call your general practice, after-hours GP practice or Healthline on 0800 611 116
free-call or text 1737 to talk to a trained counsellor
in an emergency, call 111
Māori community / Iwi support
Te Puni Kokiri are actively assessing the situation and contacting local marae, and iwi. Information will be updated as it is received.
Pacific support
Ministry for Pacific Peoples is the Crown’s principal advisor on policies and interventions aimed at improving outcomes for Pacific peoples in Aotearoa. We have strong networks with Pacific communities around the country and expertise in understanding of Pacific people, customs, and values influence public policy, programme, and service decisions affecting Pacific Aotearoa.
Ministry for Pacific Peoples are actively reaching out to Pacific leaders, communities, and service providers to gather information. Currently, support is available through the following services:
Immediate Flood Relief - Well-being Support
South Seas Healthcare is based in Otara, South Auckland and is available to provide immediate wellbeing and food support.
Available to provide welfare, accommodation and medication support
Staffed by Pacific language speakers
Can provide assistance regardless of your residency status
You can reach the team directly on 0800 727 240.
Open from 8am – 8pm
Siaola is available to provide food and shelter for people affected by the flooding event. If you need help, please call them on freephone 0800 SIAOLA (0800 742 652). Siaola Community Hub address: 636 Great South Road, Ellerslie, Auckland.
Pasifika Futures Ltd is the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency for Pacific families, providing support across NZ through their partners. By calling 0800 ETURERE, the Pasifika Futures team will be able to connect you with one of our partners to provide immediate relief support.
The Ministry for Ethnic Communities are sending out various communications to all our communities which will outline support available for them over the coming days.
The Ministry for Ethnic Communities are also liaising with key agencies and civil defence centres to ensure that specific needs are met for ethnic communities such as food, spaces for prayers and interpreters.
Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People have advised the following:
If you are impacted personally, please contact emergency services on 111. If you have difficulty hearing or talking on the phone, try the 111 TXT service to contact Fire, Ambulance or Police: https://www.police.govt.nz/111-txt
Disabled people and whānau can contact Whakarongorau Aotearoa, New Zealand Telehealth Services if you need support on 0800 111 213, Text 8988. Or access it with the New Zealand Relay Service at www.nzrelay.co.nz.
The three current Civil Defence Centres are all accessible. People going there with assist dogs should take them. Please remember other essential items you may need, such as devices, medicine, warm clothing, and baby items
The Community Support Package for people impacted by North Island floods and Cyclone Gabrielle includes support for disabled people, community groups and other providers.
