Te urupare tautapa ki nga tūpuhi o Kohitātea 2023
Designation response to January 2023 storm
The whole Auckland region has been "designated" under the Building Act 2004 to help manage ongoing risks to people from buildings affected by flooding and land instability as a result of the January 2023 storm event.
About this designation
The designation allows us to take specific actions under the Building Act to manage buildings in an emergency.
The decision to designate the region was made by the mayor of Auckland at 7pm on 30 January 2023 and the designation took effect on 1 February 2023.
The designation will be reviewed every 90 days by Auckland Council to confirm that the powers conferred by the designation are required to manage the response and recovery.
The designation will remain in place until 1 February 2024, unless terminated earlier.
Designated area
The designated area extends across the entire Auckland region, from Warkworth to Pukekohe and including Great Barrier Island.
The area designated will be reviewed once Rapid Building Assessments are completed.
Powers under a designation
The Building Act provides us a number of powers that may be exercised in respect to all buildings within the designated area, including the ability to:
- enter buildings
- complete post-event assessments
- direct the evacuation of buildings
- put in place measures for protecting buildings and keeping people at a safe distance
- place notices and signs on buildings
- direct the owners of building or land to provide information
- direct works (urgent and non-urgent) to remove or reduce risks
- direct works for long-term use or occupation of a building.
Assessment placards (stickers)
Information about the different placards and what they mean is available on the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) website.
Non-compliance and penalties
The Building Act sets out a number of offences and penalties for non-compliance in this matter, in sections 133BR to 133BU, 133BW and 133BX.
Penalties include fines of between $5000 and $200,000.
Support and monitoring
MBIE has activated the National Building Response Management Plan to support the response to the emergency in the Auckland region.
Related topics
Inspections of building or renovation work | | https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/building-and-consents/inspections-building-renovation-work | Inspections of building or renovation work | Find out what type of inspections you might need, how to book and cancel inspections and what happens during an inspection. | | | | aspx | | | | | | | | | Inspections | |
Auckland Emergency Management | | https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/about-auckland-council/Pages/auckland-civil-defence-emergency-management.aspx | Auckland Emergency Management | Auckland Emergency Management works with key organisations to ensure effective delivery of civil defence emergency management. | | | | aspx | | | | | | | | | Civil defence | |
Building legislation | | https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/building-and-consents/Pages/building-legislation.aspx | Building legislation | Rules and standards laid out in the Building Act and Building Code are there for your safety, and the safety of others. | | | | aspx | | | | | | | | | Building and consents | |
Designations and outline plans | | https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/building-and-consents/Pages/designations-outline-plans.aspx | Designations and outline plans | Designations are areas set aside for network utilities or large public works. Find out about outline plans and how they affect you. | | | | aspx | | | | | | | | | Building and consents | |
When you need an engineering approval | | https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/building-and-consents/engineering-approvals/Pages/when-need-engineering-approval.aspx | When you need an engineering approval | Find out what type of work might need an engineering approval and how can our development engineers help. | | | | aspx | | | | | | | | | Engineering | |
Natural hazards | | https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/building-and-consents/natural-hazards-earthquake-buildings/Pages/natural-hazards.aspx | Natural hazards | Find out what natural hazards are and how they affect you and your property. | | | | aspx | | | | | | | | | Resource consents | |
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