diff --git a/magnum_cluster_api/driver.py b/magnum_cluster_api/driver.py
index e931b764..9228a883 100644
--- a/magnum_cluster_api/driver.py
+++ b/magnum_cluster_api/driver.py
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ def resize_cluster(
                     machine.obj["metadata"]["annotations"][
                         "cluster.x-k8s.io/delete-machine"
                     ] = "yes"
-                    machine.update()
+                    utils.kube_apply_patch(machine)
 
         self._update_nodegroup(context, cluster, nodegroup)
 
@@ -347,7 +347,8 @@ def create_nodegroup(
         current_generation = resources.Cluster(
             context, self.k8s_api, cluster
         ).get_observed_generation()
-        cluster_resource.update()
+        utils.kube_apply_patch(cluster_resource)
+
         self.wait_capi_cluster_reconciliation_start(
             context, cluster, current_generation
         )
@@ -454,7 +455,7 @@ def _update_nodegroup(
         current_generation = resources.Cluster(
             context, self.k8s_api, cluster
         ).get_observed_generation()
-        cluster_resource.update()
+        utils.kube_apply_patch(cluster_resource)
         self.wait_capi_cluster_reconciliation_start(
             context, cluster, current_generation
         )
@@ -492,7 +493,7 @@ def delete_nodegroup(
         current_generation = resources.Cluster(
             context, self.k8s_api, cluster
         ).get_observed_generation()
-        cluster_resource.update()
+        utils.kube_apply_patch(cluster_resource)
         self.wait_capi_cluster_reconciliation_start(
             context, cluster, current_generation
         )
diff --git a/magnum_cluster_api/utils.py b/magnum_cluster_api/utils.py
index fb51632c..a6c556a7 100644
--- a/magnum_cluster_api/utils.py
+++ b/magnum_cluster_api/utils.py
@@ -467,3 +467,20 @@ def get_keystone_auth_default_policy(cluster: magnum_objects.Cluster):
             return json.loads(f.read())
     except Exception:
         return default_policy
+
+def kube_apply_patch(resource):
+    resp = resource.api.patch(
+        **resource.api_kwargs(
+            headers={
+                "Content-Type": "application/apply-patch+yaml",
+            },
+            params={
+                "fieldManager": "atmosphere-operator",
+                "force": True,
+            },
+            data=json.dumps(resource.obj),
+        )
+    )
+
+    resource.api.raise_for_status(resp)
+    resource.set_obj(resp.json())