Central plan needed for Tairawhiti cyclone response

Photo credit Civil Defence Gisborne

Peter Verschaffelt Josh Wharehinga | Plan needed for Tairawhiti

Download Audio

Gisborne deputy mayor Josh Wharehinga says East Coast MP and Environment Minister Kiritapu Allen has been shown how her constituents are at breaking point after Cyclone Hale wreaked havoc across the region.

Mr Wharehinga accompanied the minister and officials on a tour to assess the damage.

He says devastating weather events have become all too common in Te Tairāwhiti and new tools are needed to respond.

“We’re getting to breaking point. We’re getting to that point where there needs to be some kind of massive, centrally designed and coordinated initiative in order to create resilience across our entire region when it comes to these things,” Mr Wharehinga says.

The council wants an independent inquiry into the disaster, and he’s also backing a call by community group Mana Taiao Tairāwhiti for changes to forestry methods to stop slash clogging waterways.

RELATED NEWS

Candle of hope as protest prays for Mataharehare Tapac season for haka theatre pioneers Samuels back on campaign trail