On 27 January 2023, Auckland Airport faced widespread flash flooding due to record-breaking rainfall, which caused significant flood damage across the precinct. Remarkably, the airport received more than its average monthly rainfall for January (258mm) within just one day. The most severely affected area was the international terminal building, where water levels peaked at 300mm, leading to the airport's closure and stranding thousands of passengers.

Louise Martin will cover the immediate, short-term, and medium-term actions we took in response to the crisis. To date, Auckland Airport has claimed approximately $28 million for this incident, with ongoing work scheduled. I'll focus on the legal role in an insurance claim and share some tips and tricks for lawyers handling such claims. Getting it right from the start is critical. Additionally, I'll discuss the importance of setting up a functioning crisis management team, getting the business back up and running quickly to minimize revenue impacts, and the concept of "all hands on deck" to mobilize resources swiftly.