When it comes to preparing for heavy rain and future storms, good information can make all the difference.
That's why Auckland Council recently invited an independent panel of international flood risk experts to take a close look at the flood modelling used across the region.
Their verdict?
Auckland’s programme is robust, reliable and compares strongly with leading international practice.
The review examined everything from rainfall data and computer modelling techniques to how flood information is used to help guide planning and decision-making.
For Aucklanders, it means the flood maps and risk information used by council are built on a solid foundation.
The real star of the show? Data
What impressed the experts most wasn't a single piece of technology. It was the sheer depth and quality of information sitting behind Auckland's flood modelling.
Detailed ground-level mapping, drainage network information, rainfall and stream monitoring, and data about soils, catchments and land cover all help create a clearer picture of where flood hazards may occur.
Professor David Maidment, who chaired the review panel, says Auckland's ability to bring together so many layers of information stood out.
“What stood out to us was the strength of the information underpinning Auckland’s flood modelling and how it is brought together to understand risk across a large and varied region.”
The panel noted that Auckland's approach could offer useful lessons for other cities looking to improve how they understand and manage flood risk.
Why it matters
For many Aucklanders, floods can feel like something that happens with little warning. But understanding where water is likely to flow, collect and cause damage is a crucial part of reducing risk before severe weather arrives.
Auckland Council Head of Intelligence Nick Brown says having trusted information helps both council and communities make better decisions.
“Flood information affects decisions across Auckland, so it's important we keep testing and improving how we understand risk,” he says.
The review also provides confidence that Auckland has the right foundations in place as weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable.
Chair of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Andy Baker, says reliable modelling plays an important role in helping Auckland prepare for future events.
“As weather patterns become more unpredictable, it's crucial that we have the right data and modelling to help reduce risk to Aucklanders and their properties.”
A strong report card, with room to get even better
Even top-performing programmes can improve, and the expert panel identified several opportunities to make Auckland's flood modelling even stronger.
Suggestions included:
- testing models further against information collected during the 2023 Auckland floods
- refining rainfall modelling techniques
- making flood information easier for the public to access and understand
- exploring more advanced flood forecasting capabilities.
Brown says those recommendations are exactly what council hoped to gain from the review.
"A robust modelling programme should continue to evolve," he says. "The recommendations give us practical areas to focus on while building on a foundation the panel has independently assessed as strong."
As Auckland continues to invest in understanding flood risk, the goal remains simple: helping communities be better prepared and building a more resilient city for the future.
Find out more about flood risks and how to make your property more resilient.