Reports of repeated flooding investigated by Auckland Council

Auckland Council. Photo / Newstalk ZB

Auckland Council says it has investigated reports of repeated flooding after a man voiced concerns authorities weren't doing enough in his neighbourhood.

Heavy rain on Wednesday caused widespread flooding, power outages and road closures in Auckland, including at the international airport.

In Papatoetoe's Esperanto Ave, resident Vendor Faafuata and his family had a miserable morning.

"Unfortunately it's happened to us more than once," Mr Faafuata told the Herald in front of his flooded garage.

Repeated flooding was causing issues with his insurance company, he said.

"They've actually told us that unless we get the drains fixed they can't actually help us out anymore."

Council staff had occasionally cleared drains in the past, he said. That helped create a short-term fix, but a permanent solution had been elusive.

Craig McIlroy of Auckland Council said an engineer visited the property after Mr Faafuata raised the issue.

The property was inherently vulnerable to flooding but Mr McIlroy, the council's stormwater manager, said the council would work to improve local drainage.

"Unfortunately, due to the design and construction of the driveway, there are limited options to fully resolve flooding issues at the property," Mr McIlroy said.

"Auckland Council will check for blockages in the catchpits to help alleviate potential flooding in the short term and will also investigate other options, including increasing the size of the drainage on the road."