Land use planning is responsible for the protection of people and properties. Controlling urbanisation in flood-prone areas can help build resilience and limit vulnerabilities. Flood risk management policies provide a solid foundation for good practice. However, there are yet many cases of noncompliance that resulted in consequences that could have been avoided. The best strategy for mitigating flood risk is directing urban development away from floodplains. Nevertheless, in New Zealand, the local government has been granting building consents for dwellings on floodplains. By examining the relationship between the application of planning and policy for disaster risk management, this study discusses why building in floodplains is still permitted and how land use planning and policies can reduce flood impact on the community. The study uses desktop analysis to assess the potential of enforcing floodplain protection strategies in New Zealand. In general, the study revealed the effectiveness of prohibiting floodplain development as the most effective strategy in mitigating flood risks. At present, this application is causing tension between local governments and communities due to various reasons, including housing shortages and historical–cultural aspects tied to land ownership and usage. To ensure practical compliance, the study recommends a tailored community-centred land use planning policy. The study's limitations include data availability and regional variations in land use planning and policy importance levels.