How we assign categories
Our approach to deciding an eligible property’s category is to:
- complete a
risk assessment to confirm whether there is
'intolerable risk to life' from flooding and/or landslides for people in residential properties on the property (not the land)
- complete a
feasibility assessment to confirm whether there are
feasible changes (mitigations) available to reduce the risk to life to a tolerable level
- complete the
category decision based on the assessments and inform the property owner.
Risk categories explained
The risk categories below relate to 'intolerable risk to life' from flooding and/or landslides for people in residential properties on the property (not the land).
Crown-owned property is not eligible for the Category 2P or Category 3 buy-out schemes. Kāinga Ora is running its own process to assess and repair or remove homes.
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Risk Category 1
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These properties do not meet the threshold for intolerable risk to life.
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Risk Category 2
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These properties meet the threshold for intolerable risk to life.
This category is split into three sub-categories.
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Risk Category 2C (community)
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Community level scheme to reduce the risk of future weather events.
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Risk Category 2P (property)
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Property specific measures to reduce the risk of future weather events.
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Risk Category 2A (assessment)
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Property needs further assessment - more information required to provide categorisation.
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Risk Category 3
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These properties meet the threshold for intolerable risk to life.
Property purchase required to reduce the risk of future weather events.
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About risk categories and placards
The new risk categories do not directly align with the coloured
placards we issued after rapid building assessments were carried out.
All previously placarded buildings, including white-stickered homes, will only be assigned a category if the homeowner has
applied for an assessment and categorisation.
The risk categorisation considers future risk at the property while the rapid building assessments consider the immediate risk to life and safety following the storms.
For example, a property with a red placard could be classed as:
- Risk Category 1 if a more detailed assessment showed the risk is lower than identified by the rapid building assessment and does not meet the threshold for intolerable risk to life
- Risk Category 2 if the risk assessment showed that the risk is too high but could be reduced by undertaking some work (such as building a retaining wall)
- Risk Category 3 if the risk assessment showed that the risk is too high and that there is no way to reduce the risk.
There may also be some circumstances where a property with a yellow placard, or even no placard, is identified as being Risk Category 3 following a more detailed risk assessment.
See
Placards issued to properties after a natural disaster for more information.
What happens after a risk category is assigned to your property
We know that you need to understand what happens next after you receive your risk category. We are working to confirm these details as quickly as we can.
After we finish the risk assessment process, we will contact you about your property’s risk category and provide you with written confirmation, along with your next steps.
Once your property is given a category, it cannot be uncategorised – it can only be given a different category. This is because 'uncategorised' is not a recognised entry in the Government's risk assessment framework.
What to do if you disagree with the category assigned to your property
You will have an opportunity to provide additional information if you disagree with the risk category that has been assigned to your property.
We will take an evidence-based approach to assigning categories, including technical site assessments where needed.
Find out more about
Disputing categorisation and buy-out decisions.
Opt out of assessment / categorisation process
Property owners can opt out of the risk assessment process at any time before a risk category has been assigned. To do so, email
propertycategory@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz with your details as soon as possible to confirm your decision.
Once you have opted out, you cannot opt back into the risk assessment process and recovery assistance programme.
There may be long-term implications if you decide to opt out of the assessment and categorisation process. We strongly recommend seeking independent legal advice before deciding to opt out.
Your completed
Flooding and landslide registration form and a record of your decision to opt-out will be included in your property file.
What the categories mean for Māori land
Alongside the Crown, we will work with affected iwi, hapū, and whānau to find solutions for their whenua, including collective land and places of cultural significance.
We are continuing to develop how engagement with Māori will work.
We expect this will include:
- exploring ways to protect significant sites from future events
- building adaptation into the design of developments
- considering relocation of communities away from high-risk areas if necessary.
As well as your home, you may also be dealing with uncertainty about the future of your collective places of significance, such as your marae and urupā. You will have the opportunity to be part of the conversation about the best way forward.
We need to balance the significance of these areas and communities with safety and protecting lives.
More information and support
Emails to
piha@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz and
karekare@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz will be redirected to the
recoveryoffice@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz address.
