Progress on assessing flood-damaged areas

Cyclone Recovery Minister Grant Robertson

Cyclone Recovery Minister Grant Robertson has set out the next steps for property assessments in areas affected by the severe weather events earlier this year.

“I am encouraged by the work the taskforce, councils and insurance companies are doing in progressing through the initial risk categorisation framework provided by the Government. Providing certainty as quickly as possible to those affected has been a priority, but it is a complex job and we want to get it right,” Robertson said.

“Assessments on low risk properties in Hawke’s Bay will be completed and allow local engagement to begin with affected homeowners by May 31. This will allow people to settle with their insurance companies and get on with the job of repairing their properties.

“Engagement with individuals and communities with Category 2 and 3 severely affected properties will begin in early June; outlining the process ahead and paving the way for consultation on specific outcomes for severely affected locations.

“This will be based on a shared understanding of the data on May 31, subject to further assurance of the risk assessments.

“Local councils have a critical role both in the assessments and in decision making. Decisions on the future for residential properties affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 flooding events are being made locally, supported by central government to give residents a path forward to recovery. The Hawke’s Bay Recovery Agency will play a critical role in their region.

“Engagement with Māori between the Crown and local government will take place in parallel in early June with specific consideration of whenua Māori, Treaty settlement assets and taonga.

“Our expectation is that decisions on the categories for those affected in Auckland will be on a similar timeline as Hawke’s Bay. After discussions with stakeholders in Tairāwhiti, a different timeline will be agreed for them in the near future.

“We know it is stressful for residents waiting to hear about the future of their properties and I want to assure people we are doing all we can to move through this process as quickly and effectively as we can.

“The worst thing would be for us to announce a property or community was in one category, only to change that shortly thereafter. We need to make the right decision not the quick one.”

Three categories have been settled on under which the future of flood and landslide affected properties will be assessed —

1. Low Risk — Repair to previous state is all that is required to manage future severe weather event risk. This means that once any flood protection near the property is repaired, the home can be rebuilt at the same site.

2. Managed Risk—  Community or property-level interventions will manage future severe weather event risk. This could include the raising of nearby stop banks, improving drainage or raising the property. (Category two is split into three sub-categories.

3. High Risk — Areas in the high risk category are not safe to live in because of the unacceptable risk of future flooding and loss of life. Homes in these areas should not be rebuilt on their current sites.