Natural disasters are increasing globally, interrupting daily functions of life and eroding communities’ infrastructures, which takes communities months to recover from high-impact weather (HIWeather) events. This paper examines the factors influencing recovery in two case study communities in Auckland, New Zealand, following HIWeather events. The study utilizes the Hierarchical Decomposition System (HIDECS) approach and supporting methodologies to analyze the post-disaster recovery process, including the factors that influence recovery. Specifically, this research paper explores how building community capability and capacity can enhance disaster preparedness and response efforts, and how a lack of capability and capacity can hinder recovery efforts and increase vulnerability to future disasters. The findings indicate that the community’s recovery ability is heavily influenced by their communication, access to resources, community cohesion, and government support. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of incorporating community voices and perspectives in disaster recovery planning. It emphasizes the need for a holistic and whole-of-city approach, placing communities at the heart of recovery to build resilience in disaster management. These findings have significant implications for policymakers and practitioners working in disaster management. This highlights the importance of community resilience through capacity building and preparedness efforts.