4 Feb 2023

Watch live: Auckland Emergency Management gives latest flood update

1:37 pm on 4 February 2023

Auckland Emergency Management has given its latest update on the state of emergency.

It comes as Aucklanders are urged to take extreme care over Waitangi weekend.

Auckland Emergency Management duty controller Rachel Kelleher says there are still disruptions to the road network and people are asked to move carefully around the region.

Ground is still very wet and slips are still possible, she said.

"If you see any new movement or if ground looks different, get in contact."

A house at 33 Shore Road in Remuera where a man died last week was demolished today under supervision by the council.

Kelleher said it was "difficult for the family involved - thoughts with them."

Eighty building inspectors are out and about today - revisiting red placarded properties and looking at any more brought to their attention

So far, 253 Auckland homes have been red-stickered and are uninhabitable while about 1351 have been yellow-stickered.

She said the "priority is revisiting red stickered - looking at if they can be moved down to yellow - probably won't see much of a change in red sticker number."

She said the council is getting close to the end of the survey process but expects more houses will need reassessment in coming weeks.

"Some people may have been away and come home and realise their property has been affected."

Families are still coming into emergency centres that they haven't seen before, she said, and there are currently three community support hubs - in Mangere, New Lynn and Birkenhead.

Kelleher also said they have had reports of scams and people posing as officials.

"Please check who they are as they should have identification."

There have been more than 300 applications to the Auckland Council Emergency Relief fund, and the "aim is to start making payments from Tuesday."

There have been more than 25 suburbs affected by the floods, Kelleher said.

"Some things will bounce back very quickly, others (impacts on property) will take many, many months, if not a year and beyond."

She said it was "reasonable to expect heightened emotions. Be mindful of that when interacting with people."

There are "lots of people out there on the ground working hard to sort issues people are facing, and lots of people affected in different ways."

All emergency services are currently working at business as usual levels, she said.

Kelleher said many roads were damaged and motorists should avoid unnecessary travel.

She warned walkers and trampers that several walkways were damaged.

Additional defence force personnel are expected to arrive in Auckland at some stage to help with waste disposal.

"With more settled weather, waste cleaning will be happening over the weekend. Take care, as it can be a health risk to you and your family.

"Make sure your home is dry enough if you are planning on staying there again."

Titirangi area residents are being asked to curtail water use to help keep up with demand.

Kelleher said there are no other water issues that they are aware of that aren't already being dealt with.

She asked people to look out for issues in their communities.

"Keep an eye on your neighbours, those you know are vulnerable, check in."

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs