• An external review finds Auckland Council is managing the Harania and Te Ararata flood resilience projects well, delivering strong outcomes for ratepayers and the Crown
• Strong financial and project discipline: Auckland Council keeps a $53 million programme tightly managed and on track for completion by mid2026
• Collaboration that gets results; close coordination with government agencies, iwi, utilities, and local communities enables delivery at pace while reducing flood risk for 376 properties

Auckland Council has received strong independent endorsement of its financial management and delivery of major flood resilience projects in Māngere, reinforcing confidence in how public money is being invested to protect communities from future flooding.

An independent review by the Audit Office of the Harania Creek and Te Ararata Stream projects, the first delivered under the council’s $760 million Making Space for Water programme, found Auckland Council managed the projects well, with a clear and consistent focus on value for money, collaboration, and disciplined delivery.

Mayor Brown says the findings reflect council’s commitment to being a careful steward of ratepayer and taxpayer funding.

“This assessment confirms council has been disciplined in how we’ve planned, procured and delivered the work, while keeping a very strong focus on safety, cost control and long-term value for Aucklanders.

“The review found we took active steps to achieve value for money at every stage of the projects’ lifecycle.”

The two projects, with a combined budget of $53 million, are designed to significantly reduce flood risk for around 376 properties, including 56 previously assessed as facing an intolerable risk to life.

By delivering flood mitigation works rather than relying on property buy-outs, the projects provide a cost-effective and community-focused solution with long-term benefits.

The review found Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience department took active steps to achieve value for money at every stage, including early contractor involvement to refine designs, independent benchmarking of costs and open-book transparency. Strong governance, contract management, and risk oversight were also identified as key strengths. while delivering technically complex projects at pace and under tight funding timeframes. Sixty-two per cent of the projects are co-funded by the Crown, with the remainder funded by the council.

Strong contract and governance arrangements were also identified as a key strength. The council used standard construction contracts with additional safeguards to manage delivery risk, supported by independent oversight, regular performance reporting, and clear escalation processes. This approach has provided confidence to both elected representatives and central government funders that risks are being actively managed.

Auckland Council’s General Manager Healthy Waters, Craig Mcilroy, says the findings indicate a strong commitment to delivering complex infrastructure responsibly.

“These projects involve technically demanding work in densely developed areas, often alongside critical infrastructure and communities, so strong planning and disciplined delivery is essential,” he says.

“What we learn from these first projects is shaping how we approach the wider programme from procurement and construction through to community engagement and risk management, so we can deliver resilient infrastructure more effectively across Auckland.

“We’re focused on applying these lessons consistently to deliver resilient infrastructure and protect more communities.”

The review also highlighted effective collaboration with agencies. These partnerships were critical to coordinating work around major infrastructure assets and minimising disruption while keeping the projects on track. Clear communication with affected communities was emphasised.

Mr Mcilroy says the lessons from these early projects will help strengthen delivery across the wider programme.

Both the Harania Creek and Te Ararata Stream projects are currently under construction and on track for completion by mid-2026.

The full Audit Office report can be read here: https://ao.parliament.nz/2026/flood-projects

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