Listen
Auckland Council has unanimously voted to buy out about 700 flood-damaged properties, as part of a $2 billion cost-sharing storm package alongside Government.
Category 3 homes, deemed uninhabitable and unfixable from the Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle will be purchased at 95 per cent of market valuation.
The largest cluster of affected homes is in the West Auckland suburbs of Rānui, Swanson and Henderson and coastal communities of Piha, Karekare and Muriwai. West Auckland Muriwai resident Caroline Bell-Booth's home is still standing, but she hasn't been able to return.
She says Friday's announcement is a glimmer of hope, but also tells Kathryn there are still many unanswered questions.
Another Muriwai resident, Laura Preston says her home is stuck between categories 2 and 3, and more assessment is needed on whether it can be affordably fixed.
Muriwai flood damage Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro