Unprecedented Auckland Flash Flooding Caused by Climate Change: New Zealand PM

A vehicle is submerged in flooding at Kumeu as heavy rain causes extensive flooding and destruction in Auckland, New Zealand, on Aug. 31, 2021. Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

Flash flooding in New Zealand’s largest city that has claimed four lives was the result of climate change, the prime minister said.

“Climate change is real, it’s with us, it’s having an impact on our weather,” new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins told 1News. “We are seeing more of these extreme weather events; we’re going to have to deal with more of these extreme weather events in the near future and we need to be prepared for that.”

An “unprecedented” level of rain has swamped Auckland since Friday, Jan. 27, where a state of emergency remains.

The Henderson catchment alone has received over 600 millimetres of rain over the last four days, which amounts to half the yearly average of Auckland, according to Auckland Emergency Management.

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins speaks to media during a post-cabinet press conference at Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand, on Jan. 25, 2023. Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, whose residence is in Auckland, was also affected.

“They did have some flooding so I have been in contact,” Hipkins told Newshub. “She’s giving me a few updates and a few words of support from the sidelines.”

“But like all of our Auckland MPs, they’re on the ground supporting their local communities at the moment and just making sure that their local residents are getting access to all of the support they need to get through this.”

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said it had “taken some time” for people to realise the scale and seriousness of the weather event.

“And it hasn’t finished yet,” he told reporters. “Severe damage has occurred in all parts of our region. The downfall was by far the biggest in our history.”

“It was well beyond what even our emergency people either imagined or planned for.”

Brown warned residents that while they would be seeing less rain in the coming days compared to recent days, it did not mean the danger was over.

“The ground is so saturated and the drains are so full that, if anything, it could be more dangerous than even Friday,” he said.

Following criticism of the mayor’s slow response to declare a state of emergency, Brown acknowledged that there had been “hiccups,” but did not believe that he personally did anything wrong.

“I accept that communications including mine and my office were not good enough, especially on Friday night,” he said.

The country’s weather bureau, MetService, has issued red heavy rain warnings, the highest level, for the northern Auckland region, Northland, and the Coromandel Peninsula, which is east of Auckland.

An orange heavy rain warning remains for the greater Auckland region.

“People in areas under orange warnings for heavy rain also need to remain vigilant, as significant impacts are still possible in these regions, especially if soil is saturated or infrastructure is affected already,” MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris said.

Another Year, Another Disruption

Auckland students, who were expecting to begin their school year on Jan. 30, will be unable to return to the classroom after all schools were ordered to shut down.

The secretary for education has directed all schools, early learning services, and tertiary institutions close until Feb. 7.

All schools can open for remote learning, while early learning services can open for physical attendance for children whose parents require the service.

“We know this is a late announcement that will cause disruption and we thank the sector in advance,” the ministry of education said.

The ministry said it made the decision in order to minimise traffic movement on local roads while vital infrastructure still required repairs, as requested by the National Emergency Management Agency.

Vector staff work to repair damage after a slip claimed a power pole on Tinopai Rd in Titirangi in Auckland, New Zealand, on Jan. 30, 2023. Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

Principal of Remuera Primary School Steven King said he had planned to delay the start of the term by one day and was disappointed to face a messy start to the year.

“We were looking forward to an uninterrupted year of teaching and learning. The teachers had worked so hard over the summer to get ready for this year and welcome kids back and do regular school,” he told 1News.

The situation was also being complicated by teachers needing to clean up their own homes or being stuck outside of Auckland, he added.

Thousands of Insurance Claims Flood In

Insurance companies are revealing initial signs of the economic impact of the floods.

The Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) has urged that people affected by the extreme weather event lodge their claim after they have confirmed their safety.

“As we have seen after other large-scale events, we know that there will be high demand for tradies, building materials, household goods, and vehicles over the coming months,” ICNZ CEO Tim Grafton said.

“Insurers will do what they can to prioritise those in greatest need, especially those who won’t be able to move home or re-open their businesses before repairs are done.”

A vehicle is submerged in the Kumeu River as heavy rain causes extensive flooding and destruction in Auckland, New Zealand, on Aug. 31, 2021. Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

Australian insurance companies, including Insurance Australia Group (IAG) and Suncorp reported that they had already received thousands of claims.

“As of 7 a.m. Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, IAG had received more than 5,000 claims across its AMI, State, and NZI brands. The number of claims is expected to rise further over the coming days, with the event still unfolding and as customers identify damage to their property,” IAG said.

While the company’s maximum event retention for 2023 sits at $236 million (US$167 million), it may be facing another cost blowout after consecutive major natural disasters in Australia.

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• Australian Economy Suffers $5 Billion Loss from Extreme Floods in 2022

“It is currently too early to determine the financial impact of the Auckland event. As the financial impact of the Auckland event becomes clearer, IAG may review its estimate for FY23 natural peril costs,” it said.

The sharemarket reaction saw shares for the group to drop 3.74 percent to A$4.89.

Meanwhile, Suncorp said it had received approximately 3,000 claims across its brands, which is expected to increase.

Suncorp Group CEO Steven Johnston told shareholders that the net loss as a result of the Auckland floods will be capped at NZ$50 million (pdf).

“We are aware more rain is expected in the following days, and that there are reports of damage beyond Auckland,” he said. ”Our thoughts are with our New Zealand customers in these difficult times. We encourage them to lodge their claims as soon as it is safe to do so.”