The new system does not rely on any satellites or cellphone coverage. Photo: Supplied
A new type of technology will connect Tai Rāwhiti communities to civil defence during disasters - even when all other communications are wiped out.
During Cyclone Gabrielle, power and cellphone connections to most of Gisborne and Hawke's Bay were cut, but Tai Rāwhiti's Civil Defence has now come up with a solution, as part of its new kit for disaster preparedness.
Way up the East Coast is Puketiti Station, it is 100 kilometres from Gisborne, and owner Dan Russell is trailing a new emergency communication tool called a 'mesh node'.
"When all else has failed and this is all you have left and you need a rescue helicopter - this is very very vital," he said.
The 'mesh node' is a small black walkie-talkie sized box that connects to a cellphone through bluetooth. It then connects to a network of solar powered nodes across the region, which allows users to send short text messages, even when all other communications are down.
It has been tailor-made by Tai Rāwhiti Civil Defence, and emergency manager Ben Green said it is a cost effective solution for reliable communications in a disaster.
"It's a priority to account for everyone in the region," he said.
For people living in isolated areas like Dan Russell is, it gives them and their communities the ability to send quick messages in any emergency situation.
"It's a very basic form of communication that is able to extend the coverage over the whole East Cape, with zero input from Starlink or Vodafone or internet people. It's totally standalone," he said.
A solar node has been installed on the highest point of his station, at 2000 feet (610 metres).
"This node is actually currently strapped to a tree on the top of this prominent hilltop," said Russell.
Since 2017, Tai Rāwhiti had been hit by 16 extreme weather events, and during Cyclone Gabrielle power and cellphone coverage was wiped out to thousands of people, revealing the vulnerabilities of the network.
Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz said it caused serious problems.
"I would say it was one of the biggest issues for our community, not being able to communicate - it caused a lot of emotional distress, and from an authorities perspective it is so important we can get immediate messaging to our community," she said.
Russell said the current cell coverage system had all its sites 'daisy chained' together, and they were often located on remote hill tops, so in a power cut, the backup battery only lasts a few days.
"Once the backup batteries go flat, the whole system comes tumbling down, so in Cyclone Gabrielle we were three or four weeks without communication. That's a long time for people to be completely isolated," he said.
The mesh nodes are part of a number of new emergency innovations in Tai Rāwhiti's disaster response kit.
The region now also has desalination units to turn seawater into drinking water. Its largest unit can produce 1800 litres an hour, which Stoltz said was a huge achievement, because a self sufficient water supply was critical.
During Gabrielle, the pipeline carrying Gisborne's water supply was severed in nine places by slips.
"This will be lifechanging for communities, so we are very proud we are the leaders in this area," Stoltz said.
"We'd love other communities to follow suit and also be able to have this equipment on hand when civil defence emergencies happen."
Tai Rāwhiti's new emergency management technology is to be demonstrated to ministers, defence force officials and other civil defence groups on Friday 6 December.
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