The political consequences of Auckland's flooding

[If you are unable to view this message correctly, click here]( [stuff header]( Hi {NAME}, After the[floods]( comes the budget - how the waters might change its course. [Auckland’s devastating floods]( are about to start having political consequences as the council gets into the detail of next year’s Budget - itself an unprecedented challenge even before the rain came. There’s an obvious challenge - how to meet the cost of [flood repairs]( , damaged infrastructure, council facilities, and public spaces such as parks - when the starting point was already a $130 million spending cut. The bigger political challenge will be the dynamics and relationships between councillors,[the mayor]( and local board members, and the sense of commitment to communities who have been through the wringer. The Budget proposed by [Wayne Brown]( before Christmas, and signed off with one dissenting vote, to move to the next stage of public consultation, now faces new questions. Brown’s desire to keep an average rate rise of [4.6%]( was achievable only by a temporary reduction in targeted rates to improve water quality and the environment. Some of that work, improving streams and [waterways]( , and local drainage suddenly looks more urgent, and despite assurances about how the programme would still get done eventually - delaying work now seems out of step with the new times. Even if the targeted rate programme has to be temporarily paused due to the demands of repairs, reducing the flow of cash available for when work can ramp up needs closer questioning. The mayor has previously been neutral on climate change, allowing committed specific funding to continue, but not favouring the big step up which previous budgets have said is needed. Brown has now publicly stated he believes the flooding is connected to climate change, so how can his budget proceed without funding to match the words? Councillors and local board members have been literally [knee deep]( in their communities, dealing with those whose lives have been devastated. How ready will they be to tell those communities that libraries may close for one day a week, some community facilities be closed or have reduced hours, that maintenance of public spaces may reduce. The mayor’s own conduct through the floods, his calls for his fellow elected members to let him be the one voice for citywide flood comment, may also reduce goodwill towards a budget until driven by meeting the mayor’s view of the right fiscal pathway through tough economic times. [user profile pic] Todd Niall Senior Stuff Journalist [See more Auckland news]( [Privacy Info]( [Privacy Info]( [Watch this video now] Independent review into flood response to be led by former police commissioner Former police commissioner Mike Bush will lead the review into the emergency response in the first hours of Auckland's devastating floods. Bush, who was police commissioner between April 2014 and April 2020, was announced on February 5. He led the response to the 2019 terrorist attack in Chrischurch and was the strategic operatiosn lead for the government's Covid-19 response. [Read More]( [Privacy Info]( More Auckland stories you might have missed [Article Image] Australian measles case prompts caution for Kiwis who may have been on same flight [Read more button]( [Article Image] Descendants of Treaty of Waitangi signatories mihi to tÅ«puna roll call [Read more button]( [Article Image] Stranded 14-year-old left to own devices in Christchurch after Auckland flight disruptions [Read more button]( [Article Image] Lost and found: How Auckland's furry friends are re-emerging after region wide flooding [Read more button]( [Support Stuff]( [Discover more Auckland news at Stuf]( You are receiving this email because you are opted in to receive the Your Auckland newsletter. [Unsubscribe]( [Manage your profile]( [Privacy Policy]( Did a friend forward you this email? [Sign up to get Your Auckland in your inbox]( Stuff, 4 Williamson Ave, Ponsonby, Auckland, 1021, New Zealand