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Following major storms in 2023, Auckland North Community and Development (ANCAD) is working with the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office, to facilitate community-led recovery planning in East Coast Bays communities. This is part of a series of partnerships in heavily impacted neighbourhoods across Auckland. Communities are being supported to develop practical plans, which will include activities and priorities to improve well-being and enable them to come out of recovery stronger.
A community responds
In major 2023 storms, East Coast Bays suburbs like Browns Bay, Mairangi Bay, Murrays Bay and Campbells Bay were hit with flooding and slips, cutting off roads, shops, and vital services.
Even emergency services were affected. The Mairangi Bay Surf Lifesaving Club was flooded and forced to relocate — yet still rescued 69 people that day. The club is now working with the community to plan a more resilient future.
Around 30 homes in the area have been classified as Category 3, meaning they face serious future risk. These properties are now eligible for council buy-outs, with land use decisions to follow based on safety.
Flooding in Mairangi Bay village
Finding a Way Forward, Together
Through a series of community engagements with affected clubs and residents, the top priorities for the community were determined by the community: Knowing Our Neighbours and Leveraging the Community Systems.
“Two remarkable things stand out about talking with the club management teams severely impacted by the floods: how much care they have for their community, and how resourceful they were to connect with others to help them recover. The community can be so proud to have them as their local leaders,” says Kristi Shaw, community-led storm recovery facilitator in East Coast Bays.
“All the conversations so far have had a similar thread – how well we recovered is about how well we have been connected with each other.
“Our aim is to weave people, groups, and community initiatives to deepen relationships while discovering and leveraging our community systems.”
Community initiative and collaboration has developed the Making Visible Workshops and Exhibition to connect residents with each other, and their experiences of living here, now, with the extreme storms.
Sharing experiences through artwork
Making Visible is a community-led project facilitated by local artist and arts therapist, Wendy Lawson.
Through a series of neighbourhood gatherings, residents are invited to bring an object that holds meaning, whether emotionally, symbolically, or as a tangible part of their experience of the storms or storm recovery. Shared stories and objects lead to a co-created artwork that is designed to be temporary, woven from the contributions and materials offered by the group.
Wendy knows first-hand what storm impact feels like.
Rope used to tether Wendy’s art studio after the 2023 floods; later incorporated into the workshop and exhibition as an object of significance.
“We’ve already seen how much people care about this coastal landscape and one another. It’s about listening carefully and shaping something meaningful together.”
The dynamic artwork, along with shared experiences and insights gathered throughout the workshop, will be curated into the ‘Making Visible’ exhibition at Mairangi Arts Centre from 14–19 June.
Get involved
If you live in the East Coast Bays and are aged 16 or over, you’re invited to register for one of the upcoming Making Visible Workshops. All you need is a curious mind and a willingness to share.
- Sat 17 May, 1pm, Browns Bay Presbyterian Church
- Sat 24 May, 1pm, RAFT Studios, Torbay
Visit the ANCAD website to register or email kristi@ancad.org.nz for more information.
Many hands making together – Making Visible Workshop, process photo.