More than 250 storm-damaged or risky homes in Auckland removed
The council expects to buy just over 1200 high-risk homes by the end of this year as part of the $1.2 billion buyout shared with the Government.
Council said homeowners needed to have sale-and-purchase agreements signed no later than December 19, with settlements continuing into early 2026.
Group recovery manager Mace Ward said 1189 houses had been deemed eligible for buyout so far, with hundreds settled.
"We're moving at a good pace - 843 buyouts have been settled, giving those whānau the ability to move on with their lives," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We're now dealing with the more intricate cases and some of these are the hardest we've had to navigate. Shared ownership, for example, presents some really challenging situations, especially for the people involved."
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including toddler found in suitcase on bus, Russian volcano erupts, and Liam Lawson pips former world champion. (Source: 1News)
Ward said they were also dealing with many who felt like they had missed out on a buyout.
"As expected, we are also dealing with a lot of people who feel like they missed out, so the next question is how we help Aucklanders, not just to understand, but adapt in a time of climate instability. We all have a role to play."
Council had identified 145 high-risk properties, but that could be reduced.
"We're supporting about 145 homeowners to make their homes safer, so they can continue living in the communities they love," Ward said. "This includes practical measures, like building retaining walls, or lifting or shifting homes to reduce their risk."
More than 250 homes have been removed, of which a third have been relocated.
ADVERTISEMENT
Milford has 140 high-risk homes eligible for buyout, the most of any Auckland suburb, and of those, 17 have been removed.
Devastating flash flooding hit at the start of Auckland Anniversary Weekend last year. (Source: 1News)
Council aims to remove about 30 storm-damaged homes a month until November 2027.
Ward said most of the work ahead involved removing the high-risk homes and deciding what to do with the land council had bought.
"This process has only just begun and, with buy-outs still underway, it'll take time to carefully assess each site's potential," he said.
"We have a region-wide policy guiding this work. Safety remains our number one priority, but we also need to deliver value for Aucklanders, especially given how expensive this recovery effort has been."
Meanwhile, in partnership with the Government, Auckland Council has confirmed four major flood resilience projects - two in Mangere, and the others in Wairau Park and Ranui.
ADVERTISEMENT
rnz.co.nz
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
2 hours ago
- Scoop
Council Grants & Community Funding Now Open - Let's Make Great Things Happen In Horowhenua
Horowhenua is full of people with great ideas and big hearts – and now's the time to bring those ideas to life. Round 1 of the 2025/2026 Council Grants and Community Funding is now open, and Horowhenua District Council is inviting local groups, clubs and organisations to apply for funding that helps support and strengthen our communities. From one-off community events and youth-led initiatives to creative arts, waste reduction, climate action projects and small facility upgrades, Council offers a range of funding opportunities to support the mahi that matters. Council Chief Executive Monique Davidson says this is an opportunity to support the people behind the good ideas already making a difference in Horowhenua. 'Every year, we see passionate people doing amazing things with the help of this funding. It might be a community garden, a local art project, or a small event that brings neighbours together. If you've got an idea that could make a difference, we'd love to help make it happen.' Grants currently open: Climate Action Fund - closes on 31 August 2025 Community Events and Programmes Fund - closes on 31 August 2025 Creative Communities Fund - closes on 10 September 2025 Operations and Small Assets Fund - closes on 31 August 2025 Horowhenua Rural Halls Fund - closes on 31 August 2025 Waste Minimisation Fund - closes on 31 August 2025 Shannon Community Development Trust - closes on 10 September 2025 Horowhenua Major Events Fund closes once fully allocated Youth Empowerment Fund open until 31 October 2025 Recipients of the Community Grants and Community Funding programme align with Council's priority to enhance health and wellbeing initiatives, as outlined in the Community Wellbeing Strategy 2024-2027. By hosting regular events and supporting local programmes, this funding actively promotes community health and wellbeing, ensuring that Horowhenua remains a place where people feel connected and supported. Drop-in sessions – Come and talk with us To make applying easier, Council is hosting a series of drop-in sessions across the district throughout August. These friendly, no-appointment-needed sessions are a great chance to talk with staff, ask questions, or get advice on your application. Wednesday 6 August 11am to 12.30pm Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, 92 Main Street, Foxton Monday 11 August 9.30am to 11am Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10 Bath Street, Levin Tuesday 12 August 1pm to 2pm Shannon Library, 62 Plimmer Terrace, Shannon Monday 11 August 9.30am to 11am Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10 Bath Street, Levin Tuesday 26 August 3pm to 4pm Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10 Bath Street, Levin Successful projects must begin after 1 November 2025. More information about the available funds, eligibility and how to apply can be found at,
Scoop
6 hours ago
- Scoop
Health And Safety Reform: Sector-Specific Updates Signal Targeted Regulatory Relief
As part of the Government's ongoing reform of New Zealand's health and safety regulatory framework, the Minister for the New Zealand Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon Brooke van Velden, has announced a new tranche of health and safety reforms, targeting specific industry sectors. The Minister indicated that the announced changes are aimed at improving clarity, reducing unnecessary compliance burdens, and better aligning regulations with real-world risks across several key sectors. This tranche of announcements follows earlier signals from the Government regarding broader legislative reform, which is expected to be introduced to Parliament later this year, with new legislation enacted ahead of the next election. In contrast to the first suite of announcements, this tranche demonstrates an intention to consult with identified sectors to develop or amend safety regulations or approved codes of practices in identified areas. Key features of the announcements Construction The Minister's announcement on 28 July 2025 signalled the intention to consult with the construction industry to create clearer rules and prequalification guidance to support construction. Specifically, the Minister highlighted possible changes for working at heights, the use of scaffolding and to simplify the complexity of prequalification systems, to better align health and safety requirements with actual site risks. The Government aims to, following consultation with the construction sector, introduce a risk-based hierarchy of controls for working at height, to help businesses select appropriate safety measures based on the specific hazards of each task. It is hoped this approach will reduce unnecessary use of scaffolding, particularly in low-risk situations. The Government has also signalled the introduction of revised prequalification guidance to improve consistency across the sector. As part of this work, the Minister has asked WorkSafe to collaborate with industry to develop free-to-use templates that support a more consistent and streamlined approach. Additionally, work is underway to clarify overlapping duties on shared worksites through an Approved Code of Practice (ACoP), which is to be developed by WorkSafe. This decision is aimed at helping businesses better understand when coordination with other contractors is required, and how responsibilities should be managed in practice. Agriculture In the 29 July 2025 announcement, the Minister indicated the Government would be consulting with the agriculture sector on the thresholds for members of the family to be involved in chores on the family farm, while ensuring safety is not compromised. In addition, the Government has also requested WorkSafe develop two new ACoPs in consultation with the agricultural sector, to reflect how modern farms operate and to support practical compliance. The first will provide clearer guidance on roles and responsibilities in agriculture, particularly around overlapping duties and PCBU obligations when multiple PCBUs are working on a farm. The second will focus on the safe use of farm vehicles and machinery, including quad bikes, tractors, side-by-sides, and two-wheel motorbikes. As part of broader reform, the Government is also proposing changes to the ACoP model itself. While compliance with ACoPs is currently voluntary, the proposed change would give greater assurance that following an ACoP is sufficient to meet health and safety duties under the Heath and Safety at Work Act 2015 (the HSW Act). Manufacturing On 30 July 2025, the Minister announced that the Government will consult on how to simplify machine guarding rules, aiming to replace 'outdated requirements' with a risk-based approach. The Minister signalled that these changes are expected to benefit both manufacturers and other sectors that rely on machinery, including agriculture, horticulture, construction, and food processing. Additionally, the Minister noted that the Government will review workplace exposure standards for substances such as soft wood dust, hard wood dust, and welding fumes. The review aims to improve clarity and ensure that exposure limits are practical. Science and technology On 31 July 2025, the Minister announced that the Government will consult on changes aimed at reducing regulatory complexity and better supporting innovation across the science and technology sectors for growth. The proposed changes will seek to match hazardous substances requirements for laboratories with their actual risk. It is not yet clear what form these requirements will take. A particular focus is the introduction of reforms that support the development and use of hydrogen technologies, including: enabling the use of internationally accepted hydrogen storage containers; establishing safety requirements for cryogenic liquid hydrogen; and introducing standards for hydrogen filling stations and dispensers. These reforms are intended to create a more enabling regulatory environment, in line with the Government's Hydrogen Action Plan. Broader consultation is underway to ensure the regulations reflect the needs of researchers, innovators, and industry stakeholders. Adventure and events In the last announcement on 1 August 2025, the Minster announced the Government would be consulting on health and safety regulations in the recreation and entertainment sectors to reduce unnecessary compliance pressure, while maintaining safety outcomes. Following consultation, it is intended that changes would be made to the Adventure Activities Regulations and Amusement Device Regulations, with the aim of reducing compliance costs for recreation providers, event organisers, and volunteer-led groups. One of the key proposals involves refining the definition of 'adventure activities' to distinguish between high-risk and low-risk recreational offerings. This change seeks to reduce compliance obligations for operators whose activities pose minimal safety risks. The Government is also proposing updates to the Amusement Device Regulations to focus council permitting requirements on transportable high-risk amusement devices. In contrast, fixed or low-risk devices would be exempt from these requirements. The proposed reforms aim to clarify health and safety obligations for volunteer organisations, especially those involved in outdoor recreation or emergency response, intending to reduce administrative complexity. Our view Given intended consultation with industry, it is difficult to predict the full impact of the announced reforms. However it is clear that the Government is seeking to save time and cost for businesses by reducing 'red tape' and 'mak[ing] it easier to do business'. At a high-level, these sector-specific updates reflect a desire to move towards a risk-based regulatory approach and a willingness to respond to industry feedback. However, while the intended areas of reform offer some clarification and modest compliance relief, they appear to fall short of delivering the clarity many stakeholders have been calling for. While it is promising to see a continued focus on regulation in areas where the greatest risk is presented, some of these reforms, such as those around guarding, relate to areas where significant risk is present and where New Zealand has been susceptible to poor health and safety performance. From a practical standpoint, how these reforms are implemented will be critical. Legislative changes alone will not be enough, and clear guidance, consistent support and enforcement, and meaningful engagement with industry will be essential to ensure that the intended benefits are realised 'on the ground'. A continued programme of keeping these standards up to date to align with best practice will also be vital, to ensure New Zealand does not fall further behind its Australian and English counterparts in health and safety performance. Nonetheless, businesses should take this opportunity to engage with the consultation processes to ensure the input and feedback required is received to inform the development of these codes of practice and regulation. We will continue to watch with interest as the Government continues its work to improve health and safety, and as Cabinet makes decisions on other aspects of the reform.
Scoop
7 hours ago
- Scoop
Thousands Of Leaked NZ Govt And Health Agency Credentials On Dark Web
Press Release – nWebbed Julian Wendt, founder of Kiwi tech start-up nWebbed Intelligence, says the findings show New Zealand organisations are underestimating the scale and frequency of cyber risk. Thousands of leaked employee credentials from government departments, local banks and healthcare organisations are among more than 150 million compromised records tied to New Zealand accessible on the dark web, according to new research. The nWebbed NZ Cybersecurity Study, which analysed over 30 billion credentials available for sale on the dark web – a hidden part of the internet used as an illegal marketplace by criminals, has revealed an alarming level of vulnerability among Kiwi businesses, with compromised credentials linked to more than 198,000 New Zealand companies and entities. In addition, the usernames and passwords of more than 18,000 NZ Government workers, 3,200 banking staff and 2,000 healthcare organisation accounts with privileged access to sensitive information were also found in leaked databases on the dark web. The study analysed global breach records and cross-referenced them with local email domains to identify exposure. Julian Wendt, founder of Kiwi tech start-up nWebbed Intelligence, which has built the world's fastest-growing database of dark web credentials, says the findings show New Zealand organisations are underestimating the scale and frequency of cyber risk. He says an urgent review of cybersecurity protocols, credential management systems and third-party access controls across the country's sensitive institutions and corporations is needed to secure exposed systems and protect the privacy of consumers whose personal data is at risk. 'We are seeing widespread exposure of compromised credentials linked to core parts of the New Zealand economy, including health providers, government agencies, banks and large-scale businesses. 'These are trusted institutions that Kiwis interact with every day, and they are real emails and passwords sitting in the wild. They're searchable, for sale and vulnerable to exploitation,' he says. Wendt says many breaches are going undetected for months or even years, and the data is still circulating. 'It's not that someone was hacked once and that's it. In many cases, credentials from five or six separate breaches are still sitting out there, waiting to be exploited,' he says. Wendt says New Zealand urgently needs to shift away from reactive cybersecurity practices. 'You can't wait for the ransom note to start caring about where your data ends up. We need a preventative model, and that starts with visibility. 'Most organisations are watching their perimeter, not what's already leaked. But if your staff credentials are out there, especially admin or technical roles, then attackers already have the keys,' he says. Wendt says their database is growing by 2 billion credentials each month as the global rate of breaches accelerates. He says in response to the volume of sensitive credentials available online, nWebbed has launched a new threat monitoring platform that uses artificial intelligence to help organisations close critical security gaps in real time, enabling businesses to act before data is weaponised. Wendt says the time between a data leak and active exploitation is narrowing, particularly for high-value targets. 'In some cases, we've seen attackers move within minutes of credentials appearing online. They're using automated tools to scan for executive logins, technical roles or access to critical systems. 'What starts as a single leaked password can escalate into a live intrusion before an organisation even realises there's been a breach,' he says. Wendt says part of the problem is cultural. 'There's still this assumption in New Zealand that cybercrime is something that happens to big overseas companies. But in reality, our companies are being targeted every day, often because we're seen as a soft entry point into larger international networks. 'Nearly half of the Fortune 500 companies worldwide have exposed employee credentials available online, and Kiwi companies are facing similar threats. Compromised credentials can be used to access corporate networks, bypass multi-factor authentication or launch phishing attacks,' he says. Wendt says too many companies rely on outdated risk assessments and miss critical external vulnerabilities. 'Even organisations with good internal cybersecurity practices are often shocked to discover what's floating around publicly. That includes old passwords, unpatched web portals or documents they thought were private. It's not about blaming anyone, it's about visibility,' he says. Wendt says the next step is to raise awareness and get more Kiwi companies treating external digital hygiene as seriously as they do internal firewalls. 'Most breaches happen because someone didn't know their login details were already out there. This is a solvable problem if you're willing to look,' he says.
