Auckland flood response report requires urgent action

Auckland Central Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick welcomes the findings of the Auckland Flood Response Review and urges Council to not delay implementing the 17 recommendations.

“In the climate-change-charged weather events at the beginning of this year, communities and whānau lost loved ones. People lost their homes, livelihoods and businesses. These were tragedies,” Chlöe Swarbrick says.

“We saw what matters. Neighbours helped neighbours. These are the systems that worked: the community. These community services need more resourcing and support from Council, not less as presently proposed in the current slash-and-burn Annual Budget proposals.

“In a crisis, we need to have faith in our official systems and city-wide leadership. On Friday 27th January 2023, anecdotally and according to this report, many Aucklanders did not feel either. 

“In that vacuum, as Auckland Central’s MP, I sought information from the Mayor’s Office, Auckland Council, Auckland Emergency Management and FENZ. None was forthcoming. It was only through direct communications with frontline emergency workers that I came to understand the scale and severity of these events, after which we began trying to provide clear information and liaise with grassroots organisations across the city. This is an approach our team continued in the following days and weeks as Cyclone Gabrielle hit.

“We must be aware that many parts of Tāmaki Makaurau continue to be on high alert for slips given the deluge at the beginning of this year. As I strongly believe should have happened throughout this crisis, in response and preparation ongoing, we must hear what is needed directly from the front-line - not the layers of bureaucracy that Bush’s Report shows delayed Auckland’s emergency response.

“We cannot turn back the clock. We can take accountability, responsibility and leadership. This Report puts all in charge on notice: Aucklanders must never be let down by their systems and leadership like this ever again.”

Latest Auckland Issues Announcements

Story

Swarbrick calls on Auckland Mayor to end delay of revival of St James Theatre

Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration.
Read More

Story

Waka Kotahi miss the boat on community needs for Waiheke ferry services

Auckland Central Green MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, this morning received a long awaited OIA with official advice and consultants’ reports on whether to re...
Read More

Story

A new life for St James Theatre

After years of community organising, Green MP for Auckland Central Chlöe Swarbrick is thrilled to announce today alongside Deputy Prime Minister Ho...
Read More

Story

Greens launch submission guide for Auckland Council budget

The Green Party has today launched a submission guide to help Aucklanders give crucial input and prevent potentially disastrous Auckland Council bu...
Read More

Story

Greens launch petition to stop Auckland Council climate action cuts

The Green Party has today launched a petition to stop Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown’s proposed cuts to climate and environmental programmes that prote...
Read More

Story

Hauraki Gulf in urgent need of protection

The Green Party backs the demands of Forest and Bird and calls on the Government to take urgent action to restore the health of the Hauraki Gulf/Tī...
Read More