We are devastated by the impact the floods have had on families and businesses in the upper North Island. If you or your family or friends have been affected by flooding and need access to resources to get back on your feet, please check the links and contact details below.

Emergency financial assistance

• For welfare assistance call Work and Income on 0800 400 100 - 8am-5pm, Monday to Friday. You don’t have to be on a benefit to get help, but you may have to pay the money back depending on your situation
• Further information about support available from the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) can be found on the Work and Income website www.workandincome.govt.nz (see below about Civil Defence payments)
• The Auckland Mayoral Relief Fund provides one-off financial support to individuals, community groups and marae in Auckland who have been affected by the flooding and landslips.  

Civil Defence payments

Civil Defence payments are available for people affected by the flooding. You don't have to be getting a benefit, and in most cases it doesn't matter what your income is or what assets you have. Non-residents may be eligible for this payment.

A Civil Defence Payment can help with:

• emergency food, clothing and bedding if yours has been damaged or destroyed by the flooding
• costs if you've had to leave your home
• loss of income because you can't work due to the flooding
• a payment if you have evacuees staying with you in places such as a private home, marae or community centres.

Call 0800 400 100 to apply for Civil Defence payments. We're open 8am-5pm, Monday to Friday. These payments are available for a limited time. Visit Civil Defence Payment - Work and Income for more detail about the Civil Defence payments, including who can get these and how much you can get.

Tips on flooding and claiming insurance

• It is important to clean and dry your house and everything in it
• Floodwater may contain sewage and other hazardous materials which can contaminate your home
• Always work safely when cleaning up after a flood by wearing protective clothing and washing hands thoroughly after clean-up and before handling food
• Flooded carpets, furnishings, and fridge/freezers should be treated as contaminated, and safely disposed of
• Take photos and videos of the damage and anything that needs to be thrown away before starting the clean-up, for insurance purposes
• If electrical wiring in a building or car is potentially affected, get it safely checked out by an electrician.

Assistance from banks

• Emergency assistance is being offered by the banks on a case-by-case basis
• Speak to your bank about getting a potential mortgage suspension
• Apply to your bank for a temporary personal overdraft for urgent funds before insurance pay-outs
• Tailored solutions are available depending on your circumstances.

How to get more help

• Phone Auckland Emergency Management if you need urgent accommodation assistance or home or building safety assessment: 0800 22 22 00.
• Visit familyservices.govt.nz/directory for urgent food needs as a result of being displaced by the flooding
• Also try local foodbanks for donations or assistance

Stay informed and up-to-date on the latest information via the Auckland Emergency Management website and their Facebook page.