Morning Headlines | Communities are waking up to landslides, widespread flooding and power outages this morning | Thursday, January 22, 2026
A widely watched video of an Auckland Council contractor watering a tree during recent storms led to an investigation and an admission that it was a mistake.
The clip has been viewed nearly 1.5 million times on Facebook, with viewers and the poster perplexed by the act.
“We’re strugglingto understand this,” the caption read. “Could someone please explain it to us?”
The footage grabbed the attention of councillor Richard Hills, who investigated the incident and posted an explanation to social media after speaking to council management.
“[Management] confirmed what I expected that, of course, this isn’t good practice,” Hills said. “But it was a mistake, and I am sure the staff member is embarrassed to have been plastered all over social media.
“But also they know they shouldn’t have been doing it.”
Hills explained that the company for which the individual worked is contracted on a fixed fee to ensure the tree stays alive. He reassured ratepayers the latest action did not cost them any extra.
Hills said the contracted company confirmed “it is not standard procedure for watering to take place during heavy rainfall”, but staff are required to inspect new trees, record their condition and note down whether they had not been watered because of heavy rain.
“Sometimes, under the contract expectations, if rainfall is not heavy, so even in ‘light’ summer rain, trees will still be watered to ensure water reaches the root system, giving the new trees a better chance of survival.
“There are sometimes even pipes to the roots to ensure this is done.”
The Auckland Council contractor was filmed watering a tree during heavy rainfall. Photo / Facebook
Hills said contractors were expected to assess whether watering was needed. The footage showed a mistake had been made, and all crews had now been reminded of procedures during heavy rainfall.
“We all make mistakes or go the extra mile or do things sometimes, in case you’re worried something isn’t done properly.
“This time they got it wrong, and I’m sure the staff member feels the wrath of social media and it won’t happen again.”
