Tūpuna Maunga Authority supports civil defence action across Maunga network

Tūpuna Maunga staff have been working alongside fellow Auckland Council and Auckland Emergency Management teams to support communities affected by the storm that hit Tāmaki Makaurau on Friday afternoon.

An official civil defence post has been set up at Māngere War Memorial Hall located on Domain Road at the bottom of Te Pane o Mataoho / Te Ara Peuru / Māngere Mountain. People are urged to go there if it is safe to travel to get support.

While the teams have been working to support storm-affected South Auckland whānau, late Saturday afternoon, Tūpuna Maunga staff were also informed of a major slip on Ōwairaka / Te Ahi-ka-a Rakataura / Mt Albert.  

The slip included a large area of land, alongside several large trees that slipped onto 3 private properties that have since been red stickered and residents have been advised to evacuate.

Tūpuna Maunga staff acted immediately, working with Auckland Council geo-tech specialist, arborist team, and private contractors to look at how best to remediate the slip and to remove the immediate threat of danger to the local residents. It is likely that trees will be required to be removed by helicopters, and contractors are waiting for a break in the weather for this to be done safely.

Several other Maunga have suffered damages due to the heavy rainfalls. Alongside Ōwairaka there have been several slips on Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill, Tītīkōpuke / Te Kōpuke / Mt St John, and Ōhinerau / Mt Hobson. In some incidents archaeological materials has been exposed, trees have fallen, and tracks damaged. The team is working to cordon off any potential unsafe areas and will begin looking at remediation for each Maunga in the coming weeks.

Tūpuna Maunga Authority Chair, Paul Majurey, expresses his gratitude to Authority staff and ex-members, Cr Alf Filipaina and Cr Josephine Bartley, for their efforts in effectively supporting action on the ground at the civil defence post at the Māngere War Memorial Hall.

“Along with quick action by staff to remedy issues across the Maunga it has taken a great effort to support this significant event that has occurred across the Tāmaki Makaurau region. The Tūpuna Maunga have not been spared from damage.

Once the trees are removed at the slip site on Ōwairaka, Authority staff will be working with Mana Whenua and archaeologist to assess if any major and irreparable damage has occurred across the Maunga network. The team are also working with an engineer to inspect the network to see how best to remediate the various areas." 

For all emergencies call 111. To report any issues please call Auckland Council on (09) 301 0101 and email the Authority at [email protected]. For all emergency management updates please keep an eye on the AEM website.