New Zealand
'A house I can't live in': Flood-damaged Auckland homeowner asked to pay rates
"It's a bit ridiculous when I haven't been able to live there for seven months."
Latest from Auckland Floods
Stories and analysis from The Northern Express Herald.
'What the hell?' Ferry suspensions raise fresh fears around housing development
'You can’t keep allowing mindless infill into areas that can’t handle it.'
Major new centre-track Ellerslie feature: 388-space car park
Existing car park land beside SH1 due to be sold in a deal yet to settle.
Auckland Council cut spending on stormwater repairs and maintenance before January floods
Council spending on clearing drains is hopelessly inadequate, says Parnell Business Assn.
New flood risk tool launched online for Auckland
Flood Viewer highlights flood plains, low-lying areas, overland flow paths in Auckland.
‘Slap in the face’: Auckland flood relief fund $16m short
More than $16m in requests for assistance unmet after claims reach $20m.
Flood-hit homeowners urged to ensure all repairs included in insurance payouts
A homeowner says the scope of works from her insurer underestimates the work needed.
$100,000 a day: Mayor's horror at council's accounting and law firms bill
Critics say the figures are eye-watering and troubling during a time of budget cuts.
'They are shutting down families': Cuts hit Auckland ECE centres hard
The council previously funded all 10 Kauri Kids childcare centres across the region.
Flood accommodation payment vital: 'People's mental health was paper-thin'
Owners of red- and yellow-stickered homes are still paying rates for properties.
Homeowners forced out by floods welcome government accommodation payments
Karekare homeowners say the new fund for displaced residents brings a sigh of relief.
'Tragedy of the worst kind': Harrowing 35-hour search for firefighter buried in landslide
Volunteer firefighters Craig Stevens and Dave van Zwanenberg died during the cyclone.
'Hideous': Delays threaten to bankrupt owners of landslip-hit homes
Families are at risk of facing bills in the hundreds of thousands for retaining walls.
Three months in a flooded rental: Landlord must pay $15k to tenants confined to living upstairs
"Virtually no steps have been taken by the landlord to remedy the situation".
Owners watch collapsing West Auckland slip-damaged home demolished by digger
A skateboard was among the items rescued from the rubble.
Govt unveils inquiry into wild weather response; $240m to finance rebuild
It has also launched an inquiry into the response to the cyclones.
Auditor-General says Auckland Council has improved its response to emergencies but still has much work to do
An earlier review found senior leaders underestimated their roles.
'Managed retreat': Should we stop building homes on flood plains or is there a better option?
After Cyclone Gabrielle, Auckland gears up to do better, writes Simon Wilson.
‘It hasn’t got easier’: Father of flood victim watched final moments before son's death
Daniel Mark Miller's body was found in a culvert in Wairau Valley.
Change needed: Homeowners face $60k bills to clear streams
The council has responsibility for about half the city's streams, exposing homeowners.
Auckland Council to begin talks with high-risk property owners this week
It will take time to reach all of the thousands of storm-affected homes in Auckland.
Mayor Wayne Brown’s $300k bill with top law firm
It can be revealed some of the legal advice was on the damning Auckland flood review.
A break from the rain? Auckland set for week of sunny weather
It will be a welcome reprieve for the sun-starved city.
Brett O’Riley: Time to set new infrastructure priorities
We have to be pragmatic and realistic, and open our doors to overseas funding.
Opinion: Filling NZ’s $210b infrastructure deficit black hole
The Government doesn’t have deep-enough pockets to fill the infrastructure black hole.
Nick Leggett: The importance of sustainability
OPINION: Our ageing infrastructure is ill-equipped to handle NZ’s changing climate.
An alliance to spearhead cyclone recovery effort
Downer aims to build back smarter in Cyclone Gabrielle recovery.
Simon Wilson: Rates or a shares sale? Wayne Brown’s big budget showdown
OPINION: With two days to go, Wayne Brown is running out of time to get his budget passed.
'Fight of our lives': Climate scientist ‘optimistic and pessimistic’ about future
James Renwick's new book delivers "future forecast" for NZ, but there's time to change it.
$1b bill for Govt and councils to buy out cyclone-hit homes
Zoning maps will reveal what Hawke’s Bay communities could be deemed unliveable.