If your home has a red or yellow building placard due to flood or landslip damage, this page explains what the placard means and what to do next.
Important: If your home has a red placard, do not enter the property unless specifically authorised to do so.
Legal notice for building placards
Red and yellow placards are issued under section 92 of Civil Defence Emergency Management Act and/or section 133BT of the Building Act 2004.
The Tairāwhiti region has been designated as an area for building management under section 133BC of the Building Act 2004.
When a sate of emergency ends, any placards and access restrictions may continue under the Building Act building management powers.
For more information, read the Notification of s133BE of the Building Act
Guidance for property owners
If your property has a red or yellow placard, it means the building, or the land around it, has been assessed as unsafe to enter or occupy.
- Read the placard carefully and follow all conditions.
- Do not remove, cover or damage the placard. It must remain visible for safety, future assessments and insurance purposes.
Some restrictions relate to buildings affected by landslip risk. If access to certain structures is restricted, they must not be used for living or sleeping.
Important: Red and yellow placards are not the same as Future of Severely Affected Land (FOSAL) Category 2 or 3 classifications.
FOSAL categories applied only to the 2023 severe weather events and are separate from the current placard process.
Red placard: what it means
A red placard (red sticker) means a building has been assessed as unsafe to enter or occupy because of flooding, land movement or structural damage.
Sometimes the risk comes from the land rather than the building itself, particularly where there is a risk of landslips or ongoing ground instability.
Land movement can continue even after rain has stopped, making conditions unpredictable and unsafe.
Do not enter a red-stickered building until it has been formally assessed and cleared.
What to do next
- Do not enter or live in the home.
- Contact your insurer as soon as possible. They will explain what evidence is needed and how the claim process works.
- Follow all conditions on the placard. Access, if permitted, is usually limited to collecting essential items.
- The placard will remain in place until Council receives a report from a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) geotechnical engineer confirming the property is safe to occupy.
- In some cases, stabilisation or protection works may be required before a property can be reoccupied. This may include retaining walls, debris-deflection walls or in‑ground palisade walls. These solutions can be complex and costly and may require a building consent.
- Some homes may be too severely damaged to repair. Your insurer will advise you on the next steps.
Yellow placard: what it means
A yellow placard (yellow sticker) means your home has been assessed as having restricted access because of damage or safety concerns. The placard will state exactly when and how you can enter.
What to do next
- Only enter the property in accordance with the conditions on the placard.
- Restrictions may include daylight-only access, access to specific areas, or no overnight stays.
- If you are unsure what is allowed, contact Council or your insurer before entering.
- Contact your insurer as soon as possible. They will explain what evidence is needed and how the claims process works.
Returning to your yellow-stickered home
- Contact your insurer as soon as possible.
- Take photos or videos of all damage, including building damage, flooding, contents and contaminated items.
- Stay in contact with Council about your placard conditions and any requirements for changing or removing the placard.
Wet and damaged building materials
- Remove wet wall linings and insulation to help the framing dry out.
- Talk to your insurer or a qualified builder before starting any repair work.
- Remove damaged flooring, including carpet, vinyl flooring and floor coverings.
- Important: Older vinyl flooring or lino may contain asbestos. Get specialist advice before disturbing it.
Flood-damaged contents
- Remove flood-damaged furniture, whiteware and built-in joinery such as kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
Electrical and gas safety
- Have your power supply checked by a registered electrician before reconnecting it.
- If an upper floor has not been affected, isolate power to the damaged area.
- Have your gas system checked by a licensed gasfitter.
- Check that gas bottles have not moved or been damaged.
Check for structural damage
- Look for signs of structural damage. Flooding can affect foundations, piles and retaining structures.
- Contact Council or a qualified professional if you are unsure whether your home is safe.
Landslip-related repairs
- If your property is affected by a landslip or land instability, contact Council's Building Services team for advice on any remedial work that may be required.
Silt and subfloor ventilation
- Remove silt from under the house where possible.
- Adequate airflow under the building helps floors and framing dry out.
- Wooden floors require 550mm clearance from the ground and adequate crawl space under buildings – (approximately 250 - 300mm under the bearers).
- In some situations, you may be able to occupy the building before all silt has been removed if there's enough subfloor ventilation.
- If your home is elevated and there is little or no silt build-up, this may not be necessary.
Trees and external hazards
- Remove, trim or assess any trees that could pose a risk to the home.
Additional steps for rural properties
- Check gully traps and drains connected to the septic tank.
- Check whether the septic tank contains silt or flood debris.
- Inspect water supply pumps, as floodwater may have damaged them and servicing or replacement may be required.
A house can take several days or even weeks to dry out enough for you to safely move back in.
To help speed up the drying process:
- Open doors and windows each day to improve ventilation and allow fresh air circulate.
- Use industrial fans or dehumidifiers to increase airflow and remove moisture.
- Have a registered electrician check the power supply before using electrical equipment.
- You can usually move back into your home before walls are relined with GIB.
- Most repairs do not require building consent, but check with our Building Services team first.
- Building Services team will check moisture levels before wall linings are replaced.
- If your home was built after 1990, contact Building Services on (06) 863 1605 for advice about reinstating wall bracing.
Reviewing your yellow placard
When you believe your home is dry and any hazards have been removed, contact Building Services on (06) 863 1605 to request a yellow placard review.
When you request a yellow placard review, our team will check the following:
Electrical safety
- Confirmation from a registered electrician that the electrical system is safe.
- For rural properties, water pumps should be checked, particularly if they were installed under the house and may have been affected by flooding.
Gas safety
- Confirmation from a licensed gasfitter that the gas system is safe.
- Gas bottles should be checked for damage or movement.
Safe water supply
- For rural properties, water tanks should be checked for contamination or damage.
Wastewater system
- For rural properties, a drainlayer should inspect the septic tank if it is not operating correctly.
Is the house dry enough?
- We assess moisture levels in the framing and inside the home.
Silt under the house
- We check for silt build-up and whether there is adequate subfloor ventilation.
Other hazards
- We check that hazards such as unstable trees or similar risks have been addressed.
Returning home
If all the required checks are satisfactory, we'll discuss the next steps to returning to your home.
In some situations, we may change a yellow placard to a white placard. A white placard means you can live in the home, but there may still be silt to remove or minor work to complete before the property is fully cleared.
Inspection availability
- Our Building Services team travels up the coast on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Please contact us at least 24 hours before you would like an inspection so we can schedule a visit.
Contact Building Services on (06) 863 1605.
Advice about access and risks
If access to your property is restricted, follow the placard conditions and take extra care around damaged buildings and unstable land.
Collecting your essential items
- Do not enter the property unless permitted by the conditions on the placard. Don’t just “pop in quickly”.
- Contact Council if you need advice about authorised or supervised access.
- If entry is allowed, take another adult with you, keep visits short, wear sturdy footwear and gloves, carry a torch and avoid using open flames.
Landslip risk continues after rain
Landslip risk can continue, or even increase after rain has stopped.
If your placard was issued because of landslip risk, take it seriously even if damage appears minor.
Stay away from:
- Steep banks or cliffs
- Cracks or scarps in the ground
- Fresh debris, leaning trees or poles, or new bulges in a slope
- Areas where water is seeping from the ground.
Safety reminders
- If you see a new crack, leaning, signs of further ground movement or hear unusual noises, leave the area immediately and contact Council.
- Do not reconnect electricity or gas until it has been checked by a qualified professional.
- Avoid floodwater and silt, which may be contaminated.
- Keep children and pets away from damaged areas.
- Call 111 if there is an immediate danger to life or property.
Insurance and lodging a claim
If your home, vehicle or contents have been damaged, contact your insurer as soon as possible. They will explain the claims process, what evidence is needed and whether cover from the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake may apply.
What to do
- Start your claim with your insurer.
- Stay in contact with Council about placard conditions and what is required for the placard to be changed or removed.
- Document everything. Take photos and videos of damage, flood levels and landslip areas and keep receipts for any urgent make-safe work.
- If you need to make the property safe, sanitary, secure or weathertight, record all work with before-and-after photos and keep invoices.
- If your home is uninhabitable, ask your insurer about temporary accommodation assistance.
Questions and further advice
Council’s Building Services team can help, but advice will depend on your property's circumstances and level of risk.
For assistance, call 0800 653 800 and ask for the Building Services team.
Rates relief
If your property has a red or yellow placard, you may be eligible for financial support from Council.
- Council has rates remission and rates relief options available.
- Properties with red or yellow placards may be eligible for a rates rebate or remission.
- Properties with placards and other properties affected by the event, may be eligible for hardship support such as payment plans or deferred payments.
- To discuss your options, call 0800 653 800 or apply online
Disaster relief payment
Property owners with red or yellow placards may also be eligible for a disaster relief payment.