Community Flood Resilience
A 10-year flood mitigation and recovery initiative.
Community Flood Resilience is part of the wider Making Space for Water programme — a 10-year flood mitigation and recovery initiative developed by Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters in response to the 2023 storm events by creating ‘blue-green networks’.
In West Auckland, this mahi is led by mana whenua Te Kawerau ā Maki, who hold the funding and provide cultural leadership and oversight, ensuring the work aligns with iwi aspirations and honours the taonga — the treasured lands and waterways — of the rohe.
Together, partners are supporting communities to better understand their flood risk, strengthen preparedness, and care for the streams and floodplains that connect us.
At its heart, Community Flood Resilience is about people and place. It supports neighbours to come together, build relationships, and take practical action that strengthens both environmental and community wellbeing. Through streamside learning sessions, community hui, hands-on restoration activities and accessible flood preparedness resources, communities are empowered to care for and look after their local awa. This work is grounded in strong partnerships and reflects a shared commitment to caring for waterways, strengthening community connections, and supporting long-term resilience.
The initiative focuses on raising awareness and understanding of local waterways, supporting residents to reduce future flood risks, and ensuring restoration efforts meet environmental best practice. Activities may include stream clean-ups, planting and restoration planning, erosion awareness, flood preparedness education, and community-led advocacy. By connecting local knowledge with technical expertise and cultural guidance, communities are supported to take informed, practical steps that enhance water quality, biodiversity, safety, and long-term resilience.
In West Auckland, Community Waitākere has been contracted by Te Kawerau ā Maki to deliver Community Flood Resilience engagement and action in selected flood-impacted catchments, including parts of Rānui, Te Wai o Pareira (Ōpanuku and Oratia), Lincoln Stream, and the Kumeū and Waimauku areas.
If you live in one of these communities and would like to be involved we warmly invite you to get in touch. Together, we can build safer, more connected, and more resilient communities.