Te Ratonga Whakatere i te Mātūtū Tūpuhi Storm Recovery Navigation Service

Last updated: 12 September 2025

The Storm Recovery Navigation Service will no longer accept new referrals from 1 September 2025.

Our Navigators have supported more than 2100 whānau Extended family, family group, a familiar term of address to a number of people. Also the primary economic unit of traditional Māori society. since the service started in September 2023. Many of these whānau have moved forward in their recovery journey and no longer need the service.

Families already using the service

We are working with a small number of families and will continue to provide them support.

Registered families can either email navigators@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or email their existing navigator directly for support.

We will close this service in December 2025.

Whānau Support Guide

Our 'Whānau Support Guide' provides information on how to deal with ongoing effects from the 2023 storms and prepare for future events. 

Background on Navigation Service

Navigators have helped individuals and communities in recent disasters across New Zealand, like:

• the Christchurch and Canterbury earthquakes
• the 2017 flooding in Whakatāne
• the 2016 Kaikoura District earthquake.

Role of Navigators after 2023 weather events

Our Navigators offered a free and confidential service to:

• provide you with one-on-one support and assistance
• make sure you have the most up-to-date information, while connecting you to other support agencies like Work and Income, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and New Zealand Claims Resolution Service
• help you gain access to specialist services like insurance, legal and budget advice
• update you on grant applications and financial assistance available
• support you with housing, tenancy issues, temporary accommodation and resettlement
• help you access other social and health services, like counselling and GP services.

Navigation Service partnership

Due to support from the Ministry of Social Development, we were able to deliver the Navigation Service in partnership with iwi and non-government organisations. To support affected whānau and families, navigators were based:

• within Auckland Council (Council Navigators)
• in trusted iwi and community organisations (Partner Navigators).

Like Council Navigators, Partner Navigators connected individuals and whānau with resources, services and information to help their recovery journey.

Current Partner Navigators

• Age Concern Auckland
• New Settlers Family and Community Trust
• Vahefonua Tongan Methodist Mission Charitable Trust (Siaola).

Past Partner Navigators

• Affirming Works
• Aunty Lou’s kitchen
• Global Hope Missions
• Huakina Development Trust
• I am Māngere
• MPHS Community Trust
• Ngāti Tamaterā Treaty Settlement Trust
• South Seas Healthcare Trust
• Te Kawerau Iwi Tiaki Trust
• Te Mahurehure Cultural Society Incorporated
• Visionwest Community Trust.