A new report is urging the conversion of urban areas into sponge cities to help mitigate the effects of extreme rainfall caused by climate change.
The report, commissioned by the Helen Clark Foundation and engineering company, WSP New Zealand, promotes spongy techniques such as open waterways which aren't concreted over, with plantings and diversions enabling the absorption, storage and slow release of the water into the environment - mimicking natural hydrological processes.
International evidence shows the concept is one of the best things cities can do to minimise future flood risk and indeed, some parts of Auckland have already proved it works.
Author of the report and Deputy Director of the Helen Clark Foundation Kali Mercier spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
