Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The Green Party wants to set up a $750 million fund to protect towns and cities from flooding, if it is part of a government after the next election.
Co-leader James Shaw says the Urban Nature Fund is included in the Greens' Climate-Safe Communities plan.
It would empower communities to create jobs involved in restoring and protecting nature in towns and cities, he said.
It would also slash greenhouse gas emissions, and protect homes and communities from future extreme weather, he said.
"Instead of having governments that are reacting to disaster, our Climate-Safe Communities plan will shift towards creating stronger communities. Resilient, affordable, inclusive communities that can meet everyone's needs despite the challenges of the disrupted climate," Shaw said.
The party would set rules to "make sure developers and councils are working together to construct more resilient homes and buildings designed to handle extreme weather, and ensure greater use of green spaces that not only provide a space to relax, but filter and drain flood waters", he said.
West Auckland is Flooding community group chair Lyall Carter said he was pleased to see the Green Party's nature-based solutions for building climate resilience.
"I feel encouraged that we have one of our major parties that is taking seriously the call from our community and from other communities throughout our country, that it needs to be a community-based solution when it comes to flood mitigation and we need to work with nature, not against it," he said.
Carter said how political parties mitigated flood risks will be their top concern in the upcoming election.
"The number one election issue for us is how do we work with nature, how do we go back into our communities, how can families and individuals go back and be safe living in these places," he said.
For some West Aucklanders, the January floods were the second time they were flooded in less than 18 months.
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said the party wants to bring towns and cities "into balance with a healthy climate and thriving nature" and make sure they "meet the needs of everyone within the limits of the planet".
The Labour Party is also set to make an announcement on Sunday.
