Flood Resilience and Recovery Gains Momentum in NZ’s Storm-Stricken Regions

Minister Mitchell emphasized the level of complexity involved in many of the flood resilience projects, particularly in densely populated or high-risk areas.

New Zealand’s storm-battered regions—Auckland, Tairāwhiti (Gisborne), and Hawke’s Bay—are showing strong signs of recovery as local councils make tangible progress in rebuilding essential infrastructure and strengthening flood resilience. The regions were among the hardest hit by the catastrophic North Island Severe Weather Events of 2023, and have since been the focus of one of the country’s largest post-disaster recovery efforts.

Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced that, as of February 2025, a significant number of critical repair and resilience projects have been completed, with many more moving toward final implementation.

Key Achievements in Recovery Progress

According to Minister Mitchell, Auckland, Gisborne, and Hawke’s Bay councils have stabilized a total of 1,125 landslides (slips), rebuilt 25 damaged local bridges, and completed 51 kilometers of stop banks—key levees constructed to prevent flooding. These efforts reflect months of strategic planning, engineering assessments, and community consultation to ensure that recovery initiatives are both effective and sustainable.

“These achievements mark a substantial milestone in the long road to recovery,” Minister Mitchell said. “Councils have worked tirelessly to not only repair the damage but also put in place solutions that will shield these communities from similar disasters in the future.”

Government-Council Collaboration and Funding

To support these efforts, the government has entered into Crown cost-share agreements with the affected councils, collectively committing more than $1.6 billion. This funding has enabled local authorities to undertake a wide array of initiatives including:

• Category 3 residential property buyouts, which offer relocation support to homeowners whose properties are deemed too risky to remain occupied;

• Critical local transport repairs to reconnect isolated communities and restore economic activity;

• Comprehensive flood risk mitigation projects, which aim to enhance regional preparedness against future extreme weather events.

Notably, the Government has recently approved the final three projects under this programme, bringing the total number of greenlit initiatives to 54.

Technically Complex Projects with a Community-Centric Approach

Minister Mitchell emphasized the level of complexity involved in many of the flood resilience projects, particularly in densely populated or high-risk areas. Councils were required to balance technical feasibility with community impact, ensuring that design decisions reflected both engineering best practices and local needs.

“Councils have gone to great lengths to engage with communities, seek their input, and weigh the potential disruptions against the long-term safety and stability offered by these projects,” Mitchell stated.

These efforts have already begun yielding important results. Many properties previously designated as Category 2C—where the risk from future flooding was uncertain—are now expected to be downgraded, allowing residents to remain in their homes with enhanced confidence in their safety.

Funding Overview and Future Outlook

The total cost of flood risk mitigation and transport repair projects stands at $1.05 billion, of which the Crown has committed $907 million. The remainder is being funded by the councils themselves, underlining the collaborative nature of the recovery strategy.

Looking ahead, both the government and local councils anticipate that these resilience measures will not only provide immediate relief but also drive regional growth, infrastructure stability, and increased housing security in areas prone to natural disasters.

“The ongoing recovery efforts are not just about rebuilding what was lost—they are about building stronger, safer, and more resilient communities,” Mitchell concluded.

As the North Island moves into the next phase of its recovery journey, the emphasis remains on coordinated action, futureproofing, and ensuring that no community is left behind.