Following the severe flooding in January 2023, the government launched a coordinated recovery effort to support affected residential property owners.
Woods was invited to join a team of consultants working for the Auckland Flood Recovery Office to help assess damage, identify risk, and support recovery planning. While Woods has long been involved in building better communities, this project was different — it was about helping our community rebuild. The work was emotionally charged, with many people having lost homes and livelihoods, and required an enhanced level of empathy, patience, and determination. To prepare, our team completed psychological training provided by Auckland Council to better support homeowners through a difficult process.
With flood impacts varying significantly across the region, mass information gathering was essential. An initial submission form collected responses from affected property owners, but critical information gaps remained. Woods was tasked with site assessments to understand the mechanisms of flooding — whether water entered from roads, streams, or elsewhere — and to explore site-specific solutions. These included options like raising buildings, relocating them, or diverting floodwater away from the property.
Our team has conducted more than 200 property assessments to date, gathering vital data used by the Flood Recovery Office to evaluate risk to life and buildings.
Given the scale and sensitivity of the recovery effort, several challenges emerged. Properties needed to be assessed quickly and consistently, despite the diversity of conditions and the emotional toll on residents. Woods played a key role in helping categorise each property’s hazard level — from Category 1 (low risk) to Category 2 (moderate risk with feasible solutions) and Category 3 (high risk, potential buyout). For Category 3 properties, Woods was also responsible for issuing letters related to buyout decisions.
Throughout the process, we worked closely with the wider team at the Auckland Flood Recovery Office, which included a range of consultants. Weekly knowledge-sharing sessions allowed Woods to share experiences and develop consistent approaches to complex issues.
Woods continues to support the recovery effort by conducting site assessments and providing expert input to inform Council decision-making. Our role has involved navigating sensitive conversations with affected residents, adapting the assessment process to meet evolving challenges, and ensuring the work was delivered at scale and pace.
Our strength in modelling, land development, and stormwater engineering meant we could assess property damage from multiple technical perspectives — providing layered insight that helped guide Council’s support for each property. By working collaboratively and drawing on our full range of expertise, Woods is proud to play a part in restoring homes, resilience, and hope for Auckland’s flood-affected communities.
