12 Apr 2023

Mike Bush details critical report on Auckland flood response

From Checkpoint, 5:08 pm on 12 April 2023

As the Auckland Anniversary floods swamped the city, its emergency management and the mayor were out of their depth dealing with the crisis.

Minutes mattered, but most of the damage had been done before the incident team had even finished its first meeting, according to a new report by former Police Commissioner Mike Bush.

The review concludes that senior leaders did not understand the importance of comunicating with the public during a crisis, that there should have been better advice and support to Mayor Wayne Brown's office, and that key officials knew the city's emergency management system was not fit for purpose.

Mike Bush talks to Lisa Owen.