Auckland’s mayor Wayne Brown said he declared an emergency in Auckland as soon as he possibly could – and he made the decision without listening to the “clamour” of the public.

There has been some criticism of the mayor for his relative silence today throughout the deadly flooding that’s hit the city.

Speaking at a late night press conference, Brown rejected claims that he had been too slow to escalate the city’s emergency plan. “There has been some speculation I could have acted sooner, but I couldn’t,” he said. “This is a formal process not to be taken lightly.”

Pressed on comments made earlier this evening by councillor Jo Bartley, who urged a state of emergency be declared, Brown reiterated that he couldn’t have done anything any quicker. “I’ve listened to the professionals in the field. We have been on standby for the correct time for me to sign [the declaration].” Brown said he did this “immediately” once advised to do so.

Brown said today’s flooding was as “intense as anything” Auckland had faced, but it covered a much wider region. “Careful assessment is important,” he said. “Careful steps, not rushed steps.”

The council had been on standby today awaiting the right call to take those steps, he said. “It would have been irresponsible for me to rush ahead of the requirements and recommendations of the professionals.”

He added: “This is not something that you just respond to the clamour of the public.”

Tomorrow will see the mayor out to survey the damage in the city. “Daylight will be very welcome and along with council staff and emergency people we will be assessing what damage has occurred and what steps will be taken next,” mayor Brown said.

The press conference was finished with Brown thanking the media for attending and for their “important role” in disseminating advice and information.

Prime minister Chris Hipkins is pleased the call was made to declare a state of emergency in Auckland. All government agencies were working “flat out” to help in what was an “extraordinary set of circumstances”, Hipkins said in a tweet.

“The emergency response is underway and the government is ready to assist as needed,” he said.

“Priority is being given to standing up additional evacuation centres. Emergency services are doing all they can. Stay safe and follow the advice being given by local Civil Defence.”

Auckland’s mayor Wayne Brown has released a statement following the decision to declare a state of emergency in Auckland. Brown has faced criticism this evening for his relative silence throughout today’s major flooding, with the first public pronouncement of the state of emergency coming from his deputy.

Brown said the state of emergency had come into effect immediately and would last for seven days.

His statement is below, in full:

Mayor Wayne Brown has tonight declared a state of local emergency in the Auckland region.

“This declaration reflects the extent of damage, displacement and disruption caused by this evening’s severe weather event and enables emergency services and response agencies to draw on resources, and enact additional powers, to assist affected Aucklanders,” says Mayor Brown.

The region has experienced widespread damage from flooding and torrential rain, with reports of slips and inundation. Infrastructure and emergency services alike have been overwhelmed by the impacts of the storm.

The declaration of state of local emergency comes into force immediately and expires in seven days.

Mayor Brown has been closely monitoring the situation in his office all evening and has received continuous updates on the situation from Auckland Emergency Management, including the Duty Controller and his team. The declaration was signed immediately following formal advice from the Duty Controller of Auckland Emergency Management that it was required.

Mayor Brown is urging residents affected by flooding to stay safe and take advice from emergency responders.

“We want to make sure that all residents are kept informed, and emergency services are able to reach those who are most vulnerable and at risk as quickly as possible. Do not put yourself at risk,” he says.

Christopher Luxon has criticised the time it took for the state of emergency in Auckland to be declared.

The National Party leader is currently in Southland, but told Today FM he intends to get back to Auckland as soon as possible.

Earlier in the night, Luxon sent a tweet “urging” Auckland mayor Wayne Brown to declare a state of emergency. “High tide hits after midnight and we need a list of evacuation centres for folk to head to,” he said.

Following that decision, he told Today FM the job was now to get emergency support to those who needed it. “It’s important it’s been called and now we’ve got to focus on the people,” he said.

However, he acknowledged the state of emergency should have been called “much quicker”, and said there would be a time to review how tonight’s communication unfolded. “For now, we need to focus on the people and making sure they get the support they need.”

Here is, verbatim, that latest information we have from Civil Defence on tonight’s state of emergency in Auckland:

Auckland Emergency Management has opened a Civil Defence Centre to assist those that have been displaced or need assistance following today’s severe weather.

The centre is open now and is based at Saint Leonards Road School, 15 St. Leonards Road, Kelston.

Auckland Emergency Management’s Duty Controller Andrew Clark says the region is expecting the severe weather to continue until the early hours of tomorrow.

“There are reports that some parts of the region have experienced a summer’s worth of rain in a few hours and that has resulted in significant flooding.

“We continue to urge people to be vigilant and keep an eye on the weather forecast and your property.

“If it is safe to stay home, please do so. If you need to evacuate and can stay with family and friends, please do so in the first instance.

“If you have nowhere to go or are in need of assistance, we have established a Civil Defence Centre at Kelston.

“Please remember to never drive through floodwaters.

“If you do need to evacuate, please take essential items, like medicines, with you.”

Civil Defence Centre

• Saint Leonard’s Road School, 15 St. Leonard’s Road, Kelston
• Bring with you any essential items you may need for the evening, e.g., medication, warm clothing, baby items.

This is live coverage of the developing situation in Auckland. We will continue to update this with photos and information as it comes to hand.

After a day of torrential rain, and new reports of at least one death in the flood water, a state of emergency has been declared in Auckland.

That’s come directly from the city’s deputy mayor Desley Simpson, who told Today FM that the emergency situation had been declared after “terrible damage” around the city. “My understanding is every fire truck is out helping… everyone is out helping on the ground,” she said.

The decision to formally declare a state of emergency came moments after opposition leader Christopher Luxon sent a tweet “urging” the city’s mayor Wayne Brown to ramp up the emergency response. “High tide hits after midnight and we need a list of evacuation centres for folk to head to,” he said.

Speaking to Today FM, Luxon said emergency services on the ground needed to be able to do their jobs – and a state of emergency aided that. “It’s important it’s been called and now we’ve got to focus on the people,” he said. The state of emergency should have been called “much quicker”, said Luxon, and there would be a time to review communications. “For now, we need to focus on the people and making sure they get the support they need.”

Mayor Brown himself has remained largely silent throughout today’s events, however he did speak to RNZ earlier where he said: “we need the rain to stop, that’s the main issue”. A photo was later released showing him in his office.

Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick said she has spoken to the mayor. “There will be a time to thoroughly assess the lack of preparedness, systems and communications here,” she added.

The state of emergency was prompted by major flooding across the city, with reports of supermarkets partially submerged. The international airport departure hall has been entirely flood – picture below – and has now closed. Photos are being widely shared on social media showing the extent of the flooding.

Earlier this evening, Elton John’s Auckland concert was canned at the last minute after thousands of people converged on Mount Smart Stadium (many by car and or foot). “Auckland, due to unsafe weather conditions, tonight’s Elton John concert for Friday 27 January will not be proceeding. The team is assessing things and will keep everyone across with further updates here. Thank you for your understanding,” said Frontier Touring on Facebook.

In a statement, Auckland emergency management’s duty controller Andrew Clark said that the city had experienced a “summer’s worth” of rain in a few hours. “We continue to urge people to be vigilant and keep an eye on the weather forecast and your property,” he said.

“If it is safe to stay home, please do so. If you need to evacuate and can stay with family and friends, please do so in the first instance.”

A Civil Defence centre has been established in Kelston. “Please remember to never drive through floodwaters. If you do need to evacuate, please take essential items, like medicines, with you.”

More to come.

Auckland Transport has apologised for confusing messaging that suggested attendees of tonight’s Elton John concert should drive. 

In a post on Facebook last night, AT said “driving to the concert is recommended” – a suggestion that prompted backlash due to the lack of parking options near the stadium.

The announcement was made because of the closure of Penrose train station, which meant public transport options were more limited than usual for Mount Smart Stadium. However, in a statement reported by 1News, the transport agency said additional buses will be on offer as usual.

“We want to reassure Aucklanders there is a full transport plan in place, which provides for a range of options. Via the promotion, we have reinforced these options to all ticketholders,” a spokesperson said.

“Given the partial closure of the rail network by KiwiRail tonight and full closure on Saturday night, the plan is similar to that used for the Billy Joel concerts at Eden Park, with greater capacity on bus special event services and extra options for parking.”

Read more: How to survive the hellish car journey to Elton John

Finance minister Grant Robertson has opted to go list-only for the upcoming election, meaning he will not seek to be re-elected as MP for Wellington Central.

It opens up the door for a swift exit from politics should Labour lose the election; without an electorate, no byelection would be triggered by a sudden resignation.

However, Robertson has insisted he wants to retain the finance minister role should Labour win in October. “As I contemplated this year’s election I thought about two previous ministers of finance. Sir Michael Cullen was a list MP while minister of finance and Sir Bill English became a list MP after six years as minister of finance,” wrote Robertson on Facebook.

“There is a reason for that. Being minister of finance is a huge job, and does often draw you away from electorate responsibilities. I am particularly conscious of that now as the country enters a challenging economic period. Those challenges are likely to last for some time.”

Robertson said he wants to be able to devote his entire attention to the portfolio.

There is no mention in the Facebook post of what Robertson would do should Labour lose the election. However, he said “a number of people” will likely be interested in the electorate, which has almost consistently been a Labour stronghold since the 1970s. Robertson has been MP for Wellington Central since 2008.

Thousands of people are expected to flock to Auckland’s Western Springs on Monday for the triumphant return of the Laneway Festival. But with severe weather warnings in place, is it going to be reduced to a Splendour in the Grass-style “hellscape”?

According to the organisers, no. In an email sent out to fans, Laneway remained confident that Monday’s festival would go ahead unscathed, though advised “sturdy” footwear.

“We are well on track with our site build and fortunately, well ahead of schedule. Rain is expected over the weekend but clearing on Monday morning,” the email read.

“We recommend you wear sturdy footwear and enjoy what is strongly predicated to be a warm, overcast, but perfect day.”

Those heading to Elton John tonight are likely to have less optimism, due to a dirty cocktail of predicted traffic chaos, limited public transport options and torrential rain.

It’s felt like a long time between drinks, but everyone’s favourite/least favourite family are almost back on our screens. HBO today released a trailer for the upcoming fourth season of Succession and announced a March release date.

Check out the trailer – which doesn’t give away too much, but successfully built a lot of hype for me – and then chuck March 26 in your calendars.

A slightly underrated track from Elton John gained real life resonance last night. Fans heading to his concerts at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland this weekend have been advised to drive or walk there by Auckland Transport as work on the rail network upgrade has closed the Penrose train station. One of the advantages of Mt Smart in the past has been that it’s close to that station and trains have been an effective way of getting thousands of people there and back. There are 40,000 people expected to attend Elton’s gig and Auckland Transport has advised there are 761 car parks in the vicinity.

I wouldn’t usually include an item about how to get to and from a concert but this really is the first big howl of consequence for Auckland as the rail network upgrade rolls out. The majority of the upgrade isn’t expected to be finished until the end of 2024 so this track about tracks is going to be stuck on a loop. Transport minister Michael Wood said this week that it was better “to bite the bullet” and get the upgrade done. Fans now have to bite their lips (and get up and walk). Godspeed on the yellow brick road.

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Waking up this morning was like a return to my summer break, where I was lulled out of my sleep by the sound of torrential rain.

The North Island is in for a wet, windy and generally just bleak weekend. That’s particularly bad news for those of us at the top of the country, with anniversary weekend for both Auckland and Northland, along with those planning on attending the Laneway Festival on Monday, which is now poised to be taking place in a swamp. And of course, the two Elton John concerts (that you will probably have to drive to) are taking place at the largely uncovered Mount Smart Stadium.

Metservice has warned Aucklanders planning on fleeing the city to prepare for the worst and delay travel where possible. “Blustery winds and heavy rain increases the risk of travel delays, especially around Coromandel,” said a tweet.

Waka Kotahi warned that the Auckland Harbour Bridge could be partially, or completely, closed due to heavy winds.

“Motorists are urged to drive to the conditions, look out for the electronic message boards which will indicate lane closures and reduced speeds, or full bridge closure, and stay within their lane while travelling across the bridge,” the transport agency said.

“Drivers of high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists are advised to avoid the Auckland Harbour Bridge and use the western ring route on State Highways 16 and 18. Waka Kotahi is working closely with MetService to monitor wind speeds with maintenance crews out on the network ready to react and close lanes on the bridge if wind gusts exceed threshold levels.”

Niwa added that there was an increased risk of slips or surface flooding and advised drivers to take care.

The Herald has more details here and you can visit the MetService website for full details on any new weather warnings.