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Emergency management teams from the Bay of Plenty have been deployed into Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti to assist the emergency management teams there with the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.
'At the moment we have 25 staff deployed,” says Emergency Management Bay of Plenty – EMBOP – director Clinton Naude.
'The main support is going into Wairoa and Tairawhiti working from the emergency management centres there.”
Clinton says there are four teams currently deployed comprising of staff from Emergency Management Bay of Plenty, Tauranga City Council, Western Bay District Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Rotorua Lakes Council and Ōpōtiki District Council.
Emergency Management BOP communications lead Lisa Glass with the EM team at Wairoa. Photo: Supplied.
'They are on a 1-5-1 rotation. One day travel, depending on where they go – one team had to be airlifted in. Then five days with very long hours, and then one day to come home.
'They are back here for two days stand down time, then they go back again if required. We try and space staff in order to sustain the response. We are also balancing and ensuring we have staff here to respond here if needed.”
The EMBOP did initially have staff deployed to Auckland following the January storm, but then with Cyclone Gabrielle, they swung to support Hawke's Bay, travelling down through Ōpōtiki to Gisborne and then across to Wairoa.
'We have been in touch with the Waikato Civil Defence group but they are managing fine,” says Clinton.
Wairoa from the air. Photo: NZ Defence Force.
EMBOP communications lead Lisa Glass is on site in Wairoa, after driving down with her team to Palmerston North, then across to Hastings, and then flying into Wairoa.
'What we are needing now and going forward is money, not donated goods, so if people could please donate to the Mayoral Relief Fund, to Red Cross or anything legitimate like that, that makes the biggest difference,” says Lisa Glass.
She cautions people to be wary of online sites that pop up or causes that are not legitimate.
'This is going to be a really really long haul effort, so if you can't afford to donate at the moment, there will be opportunities down the line as well,” says Lisa.
'Thank you for your understanding and your generosity.”
Lisa also says unfortunately there are social influencers, and people "doing the white knight thing" who are wanting attention – 'see how good I am helping Wairoa – look at me” type of thing, which has created logistics issues for the emergency teams.
'It's been a real mission trying to work out a plan to manage that on top of everything else, and it's meant taking the team away from other things.”
State Highway 2, Wairoa to Napier. Photo: NZ Defence Force.
Civil Defence emergency management usually work behind the scenes, managing the logistics, while often the on ground response is delivered by Police, FENZ, Local Civil Defence and the NZ Defence Force, and other organisations.
The EMBOP usually has around 20 staff, and then draw on other staff from BOP Regional Council and other councils who have completed Civil Defence training.
Police and fire services also come into the EMBOP centre, and there are volunteers who can also assist when a response needs to be scaled up.
NH90 helicopter and crew recover people from the rooftops of their homes in Esk Valley, Napier. Photo: NZ Defence Force.
'We have had a number of queries come in regarding ways to support affected region with goods and services, while they are very much appreciated. Often times they present an unnecessary burden to the affected regions and require a large amount of resource to manage," says Lisa.
'Food and goods are not what we need right now. Power is back on. Internet is back on. MSD is coming to town. The road between Wairoa and Gisborne is open. We need to support our local businesses which are opening again."
State Highway 2, Wairoa to Napier. Photo: NZ Defence Force.
Clinton says that government support packages will be coming out to help support communities and businesses in the region, and the next phase will be a recovery phase to help communities recover and rebuild.
During the recovery phase emergency management will support communities to navigate access to government help.
'In the recovery phase which we are planning now, we will be looking at long term effects.”
The EMBOP team will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
'We will continue to support as directed by the National Emergency Management Agency while the National Emergency is in place,” says Clinton.
A NH90 with essential supplies to deliver to remote areas throughout the Napier area on February 18 2023. Photo: NZ Defence Force.
The Wairoa Flood Mayoral Relief Fund has had just over $37,000 donated in two days.
'This is the most catastrophic weather event Wairoa has experienced in living memory. Our main concern is looking after our people and their wellbeing, meeting immediate needs such as food, water and shelter. We also support the wider road to recovery, repairing roads and damaged infrastructure,” says a Wairoa District Council spokesperson.
'We are overwhelmed by the aroha and support we have received from so many of you so far. We truly appreciate you all. We are confident we're receiving the help we need most and that anything still required is communicated and organized through the appropriate channels. If you would like to assist in any way, the best assistance is financial assistance.”
To make a donation to the Wairoa Flood Mayoral Relief Fund, please click the link below to go to the Givealittle page: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/wairoa-flood-mayoral-relief-fund-cyclone-gabrielle
NH90 helicopters delivering essential supplies to remote areas throughout Hawkes Bay on February 18, 2023. Photo: NZ Defence Force.
Here are some of the places accepting donations for those affected by the cyclone:
Red Cross New Zealand Disaster Fund
New Zealand Red Cross teams are working to deliver vital assistance to the hardest hit parts of the country. Donations will help those impacted by the cyclone, as well as those impacted by the next emergency we face.
Red Cross New Zealand Disaster Fund
Mayoral relief funds
Relief funds are being set up for affected regions and will be posted at the link above when they are ready, Money collected will be used for clean-up and recovery efforts and support in the hardest hit communities.
The National Emergency Management Agency has a list of mayoral relief funds.
Iwi fundraising
In some areas hit by the cyclone, local iwi have set up fundraisers to support their communities and help with recovery efforts. For a list of different iwi fundraisers, see this site created by the Māori Language Commission.
Helping You Help Animals (HUHA)]
To help animals affected by the cyclone, donate to the charity Helping You Help Animals, which is caring for displaced animals around the North Island. To make an instant donation of $3, text HUHA to 4463.
Federated Farmers
Federated Farmers are currently accepting direct bank donations to assist with recovery for farmers,
Auckland City Mission
A flood response fund has been set up by the mission, with both Vodafone and Te Rourou, Vodafone Aotearoa Foundation matching donations up to $35,000 each. The Mission is also accepting donations of food.
Orange Sky
This Auckland-based mobile laundry and shower service are welcoming donations of toiletries, but not towels or blankets as they have no storage. Money can also be donated here.
Tamaki Donation drive
A donation drive for Hawke's Bay communities is being held toda at the Strive Community Trust at 253 Buckland Road, Māngere. They are looking for donations of baby formula, milk powder, nappies, wipes, gas burners, clothing and essential items, activities for toddlers and kids, hygiene items, sanitary items, clean blankets, sleeping bags and camping gear.
Givealittle
A Givealittle page has been set up for the family of two-year-old Ivy, who drowned in the flash flooding in Eskdale, Napier. The donation site has also created a page compiling all of the fundraisers for those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Volunteering
For those with time to donate, a number of volunteering services around the country are up and running and looking for more help. Here are links to some local organisations:
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