March 14, 2023
State of emergency to end as recovery picks up
Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty says the remaining state of national emergency over the Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay regions will end tomorrow, Tuesday March 14.
They will be placed in the national transition period, which also covers Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and the Tararua, Masterton, Carterton and South Wairarapa Districts.
A national transition period enables a seamless transition from the emergency response phase to the recovery stage, and provides local Civil Defence teams with the powers they may need such as clearing roads and disposing of dangerous materials.
Mr McAnulty says while significant progress has been made in restoring power and telecommunications downed by Cyclone Gabrielle, and ensuring everyone reported as uncontactable is accounted for, there are still major and ongoing impacts in these regions.
“We are committed to a locally-led recovery, supported by central government. The national transition period will ensure that national-level support and resources are coordinated,” he says.