95bFM Review finds 'lack of leadership and timeliness' in Auckland flood response
13 March, 2023
Interview by Simon Wraight, adapted David Liwei Shi
Manukau Ward councillor Lotu Fuli says changes must be made so Tāmaki Makaurau is more prepared for the next extreme weather event. Photo: Corey Fuimaono.
Yesterday, an independent review into the Auckland Council’s flood response was released.
In the review, Former Police Commissioner Mike Bush cited a lack of leadership and timeliness from Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and Auckland Emergency Management in response to the 27 January floods.
The 107-page report stated that the Auckland Council’s emergency management system was “not prepared for an event of this magnitude and speed.”
According to the review, a number of errors “aligned to create system failure” during the first 12 hours of the flood response.
“Aucklanders did not receive the timely communications, leadership, and practical support they had a right to expect in a crisis of this magnitude.”
On 95bFM’s The Wire, Manukau Ward councillor Lotu Fuli acknowledged that Bush was “critical” of the council systems.
“He made the point that there were real issues with communication, and there was a real breakdown in communication between council departments and also to Aucklanders.”
The report suggested that a state of emergency should have been declared at 5.58pm when fire and emergency reported “mass evacuations” and “additional weather warnings”.
The mayor signed off the declaration at 9.27pm, nearly an hour before the public was informed.
“Perhaps if people were alerted earlier and understood the magnitude of what was happening, a state of emergency would have been declared in time,” said Fuli.
Lotu said a more comprehensive review of council systems should be done and hoped changes would be made so we are more prepared for the next extreme weather event.
“It will really come down to the mayor’s leadership, and how he decides to go forward with these recommendations.”
She urged Aucklanders to continue putting pressure on local governing body members.
“Although the mayor sets the direction, the rest of us around the table have to vote on whether to take on these recommendations. If we do not have a majority, change will not happen.”
