Recovery from the early 2023 storms: Rānui, Henderson, Swanson

Rānui, Henderson and Swanson were hit hard by major storms in 2023, causing flooding in pockets across the area from multiple waterways. Many residents were evacuated and rescued from the area.

Since then, roads, parks and public facilities have been repaired. Tonnes of debris have been cleared from stormwater systems, and over 200 local homes have been assessed to determine if they remain at serious risk from future storms.

While most locals have moved on with their lives, the job continues to help affected homeowners and the community recover, while increasing their future storm resilience and preparedness.

Local flood reduction projects

Auckland Council has explored a range of options to reduce immediate and long-term flood risks across Auckland, and west Auckland.

Clover Drive area

It has confirmed funding to move ahead with more detailed design and consent work for a flood resilience project in the Clover Drive and Camphora Place area of Rānui.

This project is part of the Making Space for Water programme and is co-funded with central government. It will reduce flooding risk for homes and roads, improve stormwater flow and make the network more resilient, enhance the area by changing the landscape and widen streams around the area.

The work involves us upgrading the bridge to increase water flow, installing structures to catch debris and prevent blockages, creating greenways and widen streams to direct flood waters away from homes, and increasing the capacity of culverts.

For the overall project, we are working with the community to make sure that we use local knowledge to help enhance the project.

Currently, we have funding approval from central government as well as the council's Transport, Resilience and Infrastructure Committee to proceed with the project design and apply for resource consents.

The design process has shown that more properties, beyond the Category 3 land already acquired, will be needed for the project. Council will begin contacting directly affected owners from late October/early November, and once those conversations have happened, we'll update the wider community - we know the uncertainty is hard, and we're moving as quickly as possible to provide clarity and deliver flood resilience for the neighbourhood.

This process will happen in stages and include several opportunities for us to connect with, and update, stakeholders that might be impacted. We expect construction to begin in late 2026/early 2027, and once underway, it's likely to take 1 to 2 years to complete.

Other areas

Feasibility studies have also been undertaken, and options identified, for potential flood reduction projects around the Whau Streamrunning through central and west Auckland, the Opanuku Streamin Henderson, and Porter's Streamin Glen Eden.

To find out more about these projects visit our Blue-Green Network project pages.

Future flood risk at storm-impacted homes

The council has been assessing homes affected in the 2023 storms that registered for a future risk category, offering buy-out or construction grant support depending on the risk.

Just over 200 homes in Rānui, Henderson and Swanson received a risk category indicating whether there is an intolerable risk to life from future storms. While 90 of these were cleared of a serious risk to life, 156 were assigned a Category 3 indicating a serious risk that can't be reasonably mitigated, and being offered a council buy-out. A further 4 properties are being helped to reduce the risk on their property with retaining walls or by lifting or shifting their home.

Kāinga Ora has assessed its own properties for risk, removing them where required, and is deciding what to do with any that have a serious future risk.

Visit our Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office website for more information, or these pages on the council website for detailed information about each category:

• Category 1
• Category 2P
• Category 3.

As of 04 November 2025, across the Rānui, Henderson and Swanson, around 150 buy-outs have been completed, with the rest at various stages of the buy-out process.

Wellbeing support

Various community and wellbeing support is available for storm-affected residents, including free help with processing home insurance claims, rates relief, temporary accommodation assistance, and wider financial and mental health support. Check out the available wellbeing resources on OurAuckland.

As many of the whānau affected by the 2023 severe weather events have moved forward, and no longer require the support of the Storm Recovery Navigation Service, the service is winding down toward closure in December 2025. While the team continue working with their current whānau, they are no longer accepting any new referrals. Check out the available wellbeing resources on OurAuckland.

What's next?

Removal of high-risk homes

Local home removal activity

Around 87 of these storm-affected homes have already been removed from Henderson, Rānui and Swanson.

We are now working in Clover Drive, Lincoln Garden Close, Meadowcroft Way and Universal Drive in Rānui, and Wilsher Crescent and Smythe Road in Henderson. We will notify previous owners and direct neighbours when we confirm plans for specific addresses.

Active work areas will be fenced-off and clearly signposted with contractor information and work dates - so keep an eye out for the signs. Otherwise, contact [email protected]if you require more information.

Read more on the home removal programmepage. For questions about maintenance/security of storm-affected homes check out the FAQs.

Unit title and cross-lease situations

We acknowledge how complex and emotional these situations are - particularly for homeowners in shared ownership situations concerned about the future of their own home. So we recognise the importance of ongoing communication in these situations.

In unit-titles and cross-lease situations we'll notify other owners on the property after a sale is agreed with council, keep them updated of our plans, and seek written approval where required for any activities. Plans could involve making the site safe, exploring non-residential uses, or other appropriate options.

For more information see our multi-unit and cross-lease FAQs.

Maintenance of Category 3 properties

Future and interim use of storm-affected land

We have a region-wide policy that guides what we do with this land. Our top priority is always safety - but we also need to make sure we're delivering good value for Aucklanders, especially given how expensive these buy-outs have been. You can find the policy online at ourauckland.nz/futureuse.

Essential use or hazard management

We're considering how Category 3 land can support essential council services like flood mitigation, which will save Aucklanders money in the long run. We expect around half of the properties to remain with council either because they're useful or need management due to high hazard risks.

Opportunities for sale

But holding onto land has ongoing costs. If a property isn't needed for essential council services or hazard management, we'll consider selling it where's it's safe to do so.

Some sites may become safe for redevelopment by building on less hazardous areas or having the risk reduced through measures like flood protection upgrades.

If the land isn't essential or redevelopable, other sale options will be considered, such as backyard extensions for neighbours or rural grazing. Due to the hazard, there will be limitations on use.

Community uses

We're working with local boards and mana whenua to explore community uses for land where council services or sale aren't viable. This could include parks or open spaces in areas that lack them - particularly where funding is available to support these initiatives.

Interim uses

In the meantime, we're considering safe temporary uses with supporting guidelines. Community groups and organisations can apply to use this land for low-risk, non-residential activities like planting, grazing, play equipment, or temporary events. Guidelines are available at ourauckland.nz/futureuse.

Got a land use suggestion?

After looking at the guidelines you can make suggestions for future or interim uses at ourauckland.nz/futureuse. We'll only get in touch when we have an update - this will take time.

Community recovery planning

We know that there will be a lot of change in these areas - with families leaving, homes being removed, and major flood resilience projects under construction. Community-led recovery planning is underway for Rānui and surrounds, aiming to help locals navigate this time of change and shape what it looks like in the future.

To get involved email [email protected] and keep an eye out for events on our community recovery events page.

Preparing homes and communities

Ongoing stormwater maintenance

To increase general storm resilience in west Auckland, the council:

• removed tonnes of debris from streams, including from Opanuku Stream with heavy machinery
• undertakes quarterly investigation of public streams in Waimoko Glen & Urlich Esplanade Reserve to check and clear blockages
• has 3 hotspot cameras in the Ranui/Henderson area at known pinch points. This enables us to check if culverts are blocking or water flow is restricted and more quickly assemble maintenance crews to clear them
• increased inspections and maintenance of key pipes and streams to address issues early
• increased catchpit cleaning (deep pits within roadside drains that are designed to catch debris before it enters stormwater pipes) from once to twice a year
• further works in these locations are planned over winter
• is upgrading to 'back-entry' catchpits (drains) that still take in water if the top grate is blocked.

Community flood resilience partnerships

We are also working with the communityto improve stream health, reduce dumping, and increase storm preparedness.

Local partnerships with Eco Matters, Community Waitākere and MPH Community Trust will ensure communities aren't just preparing for floods - they're actively reducing risk through education and local initiatives. This includes:

• increasing public workshops to improve flood literacy and understanding of healthy catchments

• expanding stream restoration efforts to support stormwater management

• strengthening partnerships with mana whenua and local organisations to enhance resilience.

Private stormwater systems

The public stormwater network serves whole communities and is managed by Auckland Council (or Auckland Transport in rural areas). In some cases, the public stormwater network may run across or under private properties.

Private stormwater systems are the pipes and drains on private property that connect to the public network. Streams that run through or next to a privately owned property are part of the private stormwater system. It is the property owner's responsibility to maintain the private stormwater system, (including streams and overland flow paths), up to and including connections to the public network.

To report stormwater flooding risks like blocked drains, culverts, catchpits or grates, or to request an investigation following a flood or stormwater event, call Auckland Council on 09 301 0101. For drain or pipe blockages on private property, please call a plumber or drainlayer.

Preparing your home

There is a lot of information available about flood risk in communities and at homes, with a key resource being the Auckland Council Flood Viewer where you can search to find Auckland addresses.

Connected to this, there is some fantastic information to help you reduce the flood risk at your home prepared. Visit Auckland Council's website for English and translated guides on how to reduce flood risks on your property.

Reporting flooding, dumping and stormwater blockage issues to 09 301 01 01 will ensure the council can address issues as soon as possible.

Ahead of weather events, make sure any loose objects you have outside are secure or above where it may flood. Culverts will have been checked and cleared by council in the days ahead of the storm, but fresh material can float into them as waters rise.

Emergency readiness

An Emergency Readiness Plan is in place for the Henderson-Massey Local Board area, accounting for its unique local attributes and communities. Visit the Auckland Emergency Management local readiness page where you can also find a summary sheet of important emergency information for you and your whanau, including locations of local emergency evacuation centres.

Local groups are also stepping up, playing a key role in emergency planning and preparing to lead community hubs and local response efforts when needed. You can find a list of these in the summary sheet.

Managing development in hazard areas

For more information, visit the Plan Change 120 page on the council's website.