Serving Our People

Bay of Plenty regional response to extreme weather event

Ezra Schuster, Bay of Plenty Regional Public Commissioner and Partnerships Director for the Ministry of Health New Zealand - Manatū Hauora, says lessons from his region’s COVID-19 response have paid dividends in dealing with #CycloneGabrielle ?

Ezra says they now benefit from a strong working relationship between local iwi, multiple community groups and Emergency Management Bay of Plenty and Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

Further, he says they all feel better connected with and supported by central Government. Ezra’s team members Jacqui Rolleston-Steed and Dominic Lepa have been working directly with Emergency Management teams on the welfare response with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).

Ezra says all involved in the region’s disaster management have clearly defined response roles where there is now little to no effort wasted on rework or duplication. He says it’s a pleasure to support all the committed and capable people involved.

Hawkes Bay regional response to extreme weather event

Te Matau-a-Māui | Hawke’s Bay is another region grappling with the challenges #CycloneGabrielle ? has imposed. But Regional Public Service Commissioner Karen Bartlett is heartened by the all-of-Government response, despite roads, internet, phones and power often being out over the last 24hrs up and down the rohe. An area extending from Central Hawke’s Bay to Ruatoria.

She says a central Hub was made possible yesterday by the Hawkes Bay Emergency Mangement Group. Te Puni Kōkiri secured a generator to power the Hub where Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand Te Matau a Māui, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Development (MSD), Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Department of Corrections NZ and others are coordinating response activities to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of the region. Volunteering Hawkes Bay and Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga staff have now joined the Hub.

Despite this, the unprecedented event has left Gisborne and Wairoa isolated and totally off grid. Karen says New Zealand Defence Force helicopter missions are connecting with communities and yesterday RSE workers were plucked off the roofs of their flooded accommodation. They are now being sheltered at the Malamalama Rarotongan Community centre.

Karen would like to thank all those involved for their extraordinary efforts ?