Civil Defence
Emergency management missing in action
A new review of New Zealand's response to crisis is blunt about the inaction of the past, and sceptical that much will change in the future Audio
Flow of info blown off course by Gabrielle
A review of the Cyclone Gabrielle response found the emergency management response was not fit for purpose - and not good for media providing critical 'real time' coverage of the disaster. But one…
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Pack emergency supplies for your summer roadie
The National Emergency Management Agency is warning holidaymakers to find out Civil Defence information for the places they are travelling to this summer.
Extreme water restrictions drag on for Gisborne residents
More than a month after Cyclone Gabrielle hit, Gisborne locals are fed up with water restrictions as the council struggles to fix multiple breaks in the city's main pipeline.
'Forgotten we're still stuck': Upset over handling of convoys
Tensions have run high in Tokomaru Bay over the district council's handling of convoys which have proven a life-line to residents needing to access Gisborne.
Convoys hit road between cyclone-hit Tokomaru Bay, Gisborne
Official convoys have kicked off today for whanau wanting to travel between Tokomaru Bay and Gisborne along the backroad. The operation is very much trial and error, but miscommunication led to some… Video, Audio
'Surrounded by mayhem' - Residents describe post-cyclone conditions in Karekare
A month on from Cyclone Gabrielle making landfall and residents of a coastal Auckland settlement are trying to get back to normal, despite being surrounded by devastation.
'We just thought, bugger it, let's go': Soldiers say they disobeyed orders to save residents
Two soldiers say they disobeyed Civil Defence orders so they could rescue people trapped in Esk Valley during Cyclone Gabrielle.
Soldiers say they disobeyed orders to rescue flood-trapped people in Esk Valley
Two soldiers have revealed they disobeyed Civil Defence orders so they could rescue people trapped in Esk Valley during Cyclone Gabrielle.
Locals there were stranded on roofs as floodwaters raged… Audio
Auckland Council apologises for premature lifting of Piha cordons
The cordon was lifted on Monday morning to the shock of Piha residents, who took to social media to vent their outrage.
Cyclone Gabrielle: Officials turn efforts to rebuilding
It's been almost a month since Cyclone Gabrielle struck New Zealand, devastating large portions of Hawke's Bay and Tai rāwhiti.
The clean up is in full swing, with people still digging through silt… Audio
Leaders in cyclone-hit regions lay out community's needs
Local leaders in three areas badly-affected by Cyclone Gabrielle have flagged up wage subsidy support and investment to future-proof roading networks as recovery priorities. Audio
Half-year wait for news on homes possible for Muriwai residents
Auckland Council's head of engineering resilience says it could be six months' wait for homeowners on two roads affected by landslips at Muriwai before they know if they can live in their properties… Audio
Petition started to keep police Eagle helicopter in Hawke's Bay
Hundreds of Napier residents are calling for the police Eagle helicopter to stay in Hawke's Bay beyond the disaster response.
Signal to noise - is AM radio really under threat?
Old-fashioned AM radio was an information lifeline for many during Cyclone Gabrielle when other sources wilted without power. Now a little-known arrangement that puts proceedings of Parliament on the… Audio
Managed retreat talk needs to happen soon - engineer
It is not too early to talk about retreating rather than rebuilding after Cyclone Gabrielle, says an engineer who helped move an entire Australian town after floods. Audio
Civil Defence announcements for Tai Rāwhiti and Hawkes Bay
Time now for our regular civil defence announcement at this time every day for listeners in isolated rural communities in Tai Rāwhiti and Hawkes Bay. Audio
Firefighters from Fiji get stuck into the cyclone cleanup
Among the hundreds of contractors and residents on Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up duties in the Esk Valley is a small team of Fijian firefighters.
Fuel limited, bridges down - Cut-off communities try to keep thriving
Communities isolated by Cyclone Gabrielle are making the best of things as Civil Defence tries to keep essential supplies flowing.
Civil Defence info for Tai Rāwhiti and Hawke's Bay
This week, we will be giving regular civil defence announcements at this time every day for listeners in Tai Rawhiti and Hawkes Bay rural communities many of whom remain isolated. In Tai Rawhiti Two… Audio