Story: Floods

Auckland Anniversary weekend, 2023

Two people travel down a flooded suburban street in a kayak.

Situated on an isthmus between two warm (in summer) oceans, Auckland is vulnerable to moisture-laden weather systems which can drop large amounts of rain in a short space of time. In January 2023, unprecedentedly prolonged torrential rain trapped people in buses and cars, and the airport and thousands of houses were flooded. Three people died in the city. As the impact of the flood was assessed, the council pledged to make more room for water to disperse naturally in the city, and to purchase properties where lives would be at risk of future flooding. 

This photo shows people navigating Brewster Avenue in Point Chevalier, in a kayak.

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How to cite this page:

Eileen McSaveney, 'Floods - 21st century floods', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/47897/auckland-anniversary-weekend-2023 (accessed 3 May 2024)

Story by Eileen McSaveney, published 12 Jun 2006, reviewed & revised 1 Feb 2024