Māngere centre closes after helping thousands of people affected by floods

Civil defence centres and shelters are closing as Auckland tries to recover from last month's floods.

The community-led Civil Defence Centre based at the Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Leisure Centre in Māngere ​will close its doors at 5pm today, after distributing more than 14,000 food parcels, and feeding well over 21,500 people over the past four weeks. ​

Māngere – Ōtāhuhu Local Board Chairperson Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich says the centre has been a valuable one-stop-hub that's given the community direct access to key agencies and organisations.

“Through our connected local networks, we were able to get this centre up and running and ensure a number of affected families received critical assistance.”

The centre opened following devastating flooding on 27 January, when Auckland was drenched with 211 mm of rain in less than six hours.

Te Whatu Ora Interim Pacific Regional lead Harriet Pauga says it's a privilege to be part of leadership group, serving the immediate needs of the South Auckland community.

“Firstly, I would like to send thoughts and prayers to all of the families who have been impacted by the floods.

“I want to acknowledge all of our Pasifika and Māori Providers, community organisations, local businesses, and churches who contributed their time."

Manukau Ward Councillor Alf Filipaina says the work was the collective efforts of many organisations.

“Our immense gratitude to Auckland Emergency Management, government agencies, especially the Ministry of Social Development and Kāinga Ora as well as the many individuals near and far who donated goods and their time. Not only in the centre here in Māngere but also in the other centres across Tāmaki Makaurau.”

“A huge thank you must also be extended to The Fono, BBM and Whanau Ora Super Clinic who contributed not just a significant number of food parcels but also people to support the work.

“We’ve served our purpose and I am immensely proud and humbled by the work we’ve done.”

Auckland council member Josephine Bartley has spent almost every day helping at the shelter, and says support is still needed for families.

"What I see would help is having a navigator who can assist the family in evacuation centres to being resettled into a home, who can help find somewhere for their pets that need shelter, the children's education needs, helping with advocacy with landlords still demanding rent even though the home is unliveable."

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​Bartley says many don't know about civil defence payments or health support, and says navigating the call centre numbers and having the reference numbers on hand is difficult.

"And when you do get a place, hopefully, then finding furniture as many do not have contents insurance."

Moving forward, Te Whatu Ora Pacific Regional Coordination Hub and South Seas, based in Ōtara, will continue to support the local community.

South Seas: 0800 31 13 31

Te Whatu Ora Pacific Regional Coordination Hub: 0800 72 72 40