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Whakaitihia ngā tūraru waipuke ki tō whare​

Reduce flooding risks on your property

Read the video transcript.

Find out your property's flood risk

Use our Flood Viewer tool to find out if your home or property is in a flood prone area, including flood plains, overland flow paths and coastal inundation areas.

To help you prepare your whanāu against flooding and for information on putting together an emergency plan, visit Get prepared.

Keep drains clear

Keep drains clear of litter, debris, leaves and rubbish.

Avoid planting near pipes. Roots may damage or block underground pipes.

If you are building or renovating, keep sediment and construction waste away from drains.

To get help, look for a registered plumber or drainage contractor. Visit the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board website.

Our tip

Check the GIS viewer first to find out where stormwater pipes are located.

Add permeable areas

If you plan to landscape or build, consider adding more permeable areas.

Besides lawns and grassy patches, there are pavements that absorb water. Permeable pavements have a porous surface that allows stormwater to soak through. This minimises runoff going into drains.

Porous concrete and asphalt are good permeable paving for car parks, driveways and paths.

Manage water flow

Be mindful of how water flows and collects on your property. Take a note of low areas where water may pool.

Shape your driveway and other paved areas so that water flows away from your house and into a drain.

If the ground level outside your house is the same as the inside floor level, you are more likely to be flooded. Maintain a step up between the outside and inside of your house.

Do not block overland flow paths

An overland flow path is a route that rain takes to reach waterways during heavy rainfall. When blocked, it can cause flooding in your property or onto neighbouring properties.

Do not build fences, sheds and other structures that block overland flow paths. Raising the ground level around such paths may cause more flooding.

You have to accept stormwater runoff that naturally flows onto your property. To know more, read the Stormwater Bylaw.

To find out more about overland flow paths and how to manage them, visit Stormwater forms and guides.

Our tip

Check the GIS viewer for an indication of whether your property has an overland flow path.

Design to minimise damage

If you live in an area at risk of flooding, it may be impossible to divert all water away from your building.

If you are designing a new building or renovation in these areas, you should:

  • raise your floor level
  • choose flood-resistant wall and floor coverings
  • place electrical sockets higher on the wall.

Visit the National Emergency Management Agency website for more information.

Guide to creating a flood resilient home

'Creating a flood resilient home' is a guide to practical solutions to construct or modify your house in a way that reduces:

  • the risk of damage during a flood
  • health problems due to dampness
  • flood damage costs.

Guides to help prepare your property for flooding

Download our preparation guide, available in multiple languages, to learn how to protect your home or property against flooding.

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