The Northland region endured floods and devastation on Thursday, March 30, 2007 after two hundred and forty five millimetres of rain – almost two entire months’ worth – fell in little over a day.

Severe flooding in the Bay of Islands and across the Far North cut key infrastructure including power, water and sewage treatment. It also forced the closure of Kaeo Primary School and Whangaroa College.

Health authorities advised communities not to collect shellfish in the Whangārei Harbour or Bay of Islands due to contamination of floodwater.

Preliminary estimates of repair costs put the damage at between $50 and $80 million. Civil Defence and emergency agencies say the estimate includes around $20 million for damage to the local roading network alone.

Te Puni Kōkiri was part of an all-of-government response. Te Puni Kōkiri helped ensure that the local and central government response to the flood took account of the needs of local Māori.

For example, Te Puni Kōkiri had a good understanding of the isolated nature of many rural Māori Northland families and emphasised the need to open roads and communications in these areas.

It was also able to feed into decision-making the response of many local marae which had begun housing people displaced by flooded homes.

A Government 0800 flood helpline was set up to provide information on government services for people affected by the floods. People requiring information on income support, housing options, health issues, community assistance, taskforce green clean-up, insurance, civil defence or any other government service could call the helpline.

Enhanced Taskforce Green funding was also made available by the Government to help with the clean-up of flood damage. The funding allowed for the employment of workers, supervisors and associated costs. Workers were recruited from local people on benefits, students, and workers who had been displaced from their jobs because of the flooding. The ‘Enhanced’ part of the package meant the full cost of workers’ wages were met by the Government.