Community Resilience Network

04/10/2026

Our latest Street Meet brought together at least 20 neighbours from Redcrest Avenue in Red Hill, Papakura, for an afternoon of introductions, conversations, music and a good old sausage sizzle.

It was a chance for neighbours to get to know each other, some for the very first time, while sharing local knowledge and talking about what’s happening in the area. Conversations covered everything from local community groups and activities to emergency hubs, grab bags and the difference between Civil Defence and community-led emergency hubs.

There were also important discussions around the impact of the flood viewer map on local properties, with long-term residents sharing their experiences and concerns.

One of our favourite moments of the day was a simple act of neighbourly kindness - a pair of roller skates being passed from one neighbour to another, just because they could. 🛼❤️

For Street Lead Maraea, another highlight was finally connecting with neighbours she had previously only known in passing. Sometimes, all it takes is an invitation, a sausage sizzle and someone willing to say hello to start building stronger neighbourhood connections.

A huge thank you to Maraea and everyone who came along and made the day such a success! 🙌

03/10/2026

Could a road warn you that it's flooding before you get there?

There is an interesting bit of resilience technology being tested around Auckland that you may not have heard about.

After the 2023 floods, Auckland Transport began trialling electronic flood warning systems at three roads that regularly flood in north Auckland.

• Sensors watch the water level
• Some cameras can even use AI to recognise rising floodwater
• When the water reaches a dangerous level, electronic roadside signs activate to warn drivers that the road ahead is flooding or closed.

Community resilience is often about knowing what's happening early enough to make a safe decision🌧️💚

Perhaps one day we'll see this technology on flood-prone roads out our way too?

30/09/2026

Wonderful recognition for Papakura Marae

Papakura Marae Health Clinic has been named one of just two finalists for General Practice of the Year in the 2026 New Zealand Primary Healthcare Awards | He Tohu Mauri Ora.

And that's not all. Papakura Marae CEO Tony Kake is a finalist for Outstanding Contribution to Health, while Barbara Betham is a finalist for Practice Manager of the Year. Three national acknowledgements for one fantastic local organisation🎉

Papakura Marae is ahead of the curve in the way it does things. Alongside its health clinic are services supporting tamariki, whānau wellbeing, long-term health conditions, vaccinations and outreach into homes and schools. Healthy, supported and connected whānau help make us a stronger and more resilient community.

We've also seen this in action when our community and country faced major pandemic challenges and Papakura Marae is also a local Community Emergency Hub.

Ka mau te wehi, you are incredible Papakura Marae💚
👉 Read the list of finalists here: https://www.nzphawards.co.nz/winners/2026-finalists

29/09/2026

A great reminder from our neighbours in Waikato! 🙌

More than 52,000 people across the Waikato have already signed up for ShakeOut 2026 - an amazing effort towards building stronger, more prepared communities.

Now it’s our turn, Tāmaki Makaurau! 👀

ShakeOut is a simple opportunity to practise what to do during an earthquake and make sure you, your whānau, workplace and community know how to respond.

Every bit of preparation counts. Check your emergency supplies, talk through your household plan and get involved in this year’s ShakeOut. 💛

🌏 Are you registered yet?

🎉 New ShakeOut record alert! 🎉

Last year we thought 49,000 ShakeOut sign-ups was worth celebrating. This year? You said, "Hold my emergency kit."

We've officially smashed that record with 52,000+ people within Waikato signed up for ShakeOut! 🙌

That puts us sixth on the regional leaderboard - and currently in front of Auckland. Whoop!

That's 52,000 people taking a simple step to be better prepared when the next earthquake or tsunami happens.

Haven't registered yet? There's still time to be part of New Zealand's biggest earthquake drill. Also, head to our pinned post to be in to win!

👉 getready.govt.nz/shakeout

27/09/2026

Did you know Auckland has solar-powered eyes watching some of our flood hotspots?

Clever technology is being used to make our region more flood-resilient, with solar-powered cameras at important stormwater locations like streams and culverts, where debris can build up and cause trouble during heavy rain.

🤖 AI helps analyse the images, looking for things like rising water, changes in flow, vegetation or rubbish blocking the channels.

If it spots a potential problem, maintenance teams can be alerted and sent out.
The technology continues to be expanded across Auckland. What do you think about better information from virtual eyes during big downpours?

26/09/2026

When disaster strikes, will your household have a plan?

New research from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) shows that while 89% of New Zealanders believe their household should be able to look after themselves for several days during a major emergency, fewer than half have taken steps to prepare in the past year.

Being prepared doesn’t have to mean spending lots of money on emergency supplies. One of the most important things you can do is completely free - making a plan.

• Talk with your whānau about where you’ll meet if you’re separated.

• Decide how you’ll stay in contact if phone networks are disrupted.

• Know who in your street or neighbourhood might need extra help.

• Include your pets in your emergency plan.

• Check your grab bag and the supplies you already have at home.

Emergencies can disrupt roads, power and communications, and emergency services may be focused on those in immediate danger. Knowing what you, your whānau and your neighbours will do beforehand can make a huge difference.

Prepared households help create prepared streets - and prepared streets build stronger, more resilient communities. 💚

👉 Read more and start the conversation with your household today:
https://www.civildefence.govt.nz/about/news-and-events/news-and-events/when-disaster-strikes-will-your-household-have-a-plan

New Zealanders’ emergency preparedness is at a five-year high, but more than half have done nothing to prepare for an emergency in the past year, according to a new survey from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

26/09/2026

Daylight saving is here - a good reminder to check more than just the clocks!

As we move our clocks forward, take a few minutes this weekend to make sure your household is ready for an emergency too.

Check your grab bags - replace expired food, water or medications and make sure essentials are still there.
Test torches and replace batteries if needed.
Charge power banks and check your emergency radio.
Check your emergency water and food supplies.
Make sure important documents and contact details are up to date.
Talk through your household emergency plan including where you would meet if you couldn’t get home.
Check in with neighbours, friends and whānau who may need extra support during an emergency.

A few minutes of preparation now can make a big difference when you need it most.

For a useful checklist of what to keep at home, in your grab bag, car and workplace, check out Get Ready NZ 👇 https://getready.govt.nz/prepared/household/supplies

23/09/2026

Did you know that solid fences can sometimes make flooding worse?

During Auckland's January 2023 floods, water became trapped behind some solid fences, causing them to collapse and, in some cases, sending sudden surges of water into neighbouring properties.

💧 If your property is in a flood-prone area, it is worth thinking about whether water can flow through or underneath your fence if heavy rain arrives, so it doesn’t act like a dam.

A good first step is to search up Auckland Council Flood Viewer to have a look at where you live.

22/09/2026

21/09/2026

There's a lovely bit of local history being brought back into view.

Papakura has 25 new te reo Māori names for local parks, shared by Ngaati Te Ata Waiohua, Ngāti Tamaoho, Te Aakitai Waiohua and Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki. Each name comes with a story connected to the history, geography or cultural significance of that place.

For most parks, the familiar name isn't disappearing. The Māori name will sit alongside it, giving us another layer of the Papakura story.

One example is Te Kirikiri / Keri Downs Park in Red Hill. Te Kirikiri is a significant ancestral name connected with an ancient pā site in the area. New signage will include a QR code so people can discover the story behind the name.

We often talk about resilience in terms of floods, emergencies or the environment. But cultural resilience matters too – keeping alive the stories, language and knowledge that connect people to a place. Working alongside mana whenua iwi helps us understand more about the place we all call home and adds to, rather than takes away from, the stories we already know 💚

👉 Read more about the new names here: https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2026/07/twenty-five-new-chapters-added-to-papakura-s-story/

Papakura has adopted twenty-five new park names, shared by Ngaati Te Ata Waiohua, Ngāti Tamaoho, Te Aakitai Waiohua and Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki.