February 15, 2024
Marae stock for future disasters
Far North District Council – Te Kaunihera o Te Hiku o te Ika -says another cyclone like Gabrielle is inevitable, and communities need to prepare.
While much of the damage in the cyclone a year ago was in Tairawhiti and Hawke’s Bay, the north was also hit with extreme rain, wind gusts of over 140 kilometres and 11-metre waves in the Bay of Islands.
Deputy mayor and Northland Civil Defence spokesperson Kelly Stratford says many communities have started implementing emergency resilience plans such as buying generators, noting who needs help in their communities, and placing emergency supplies and equipment at marae.
But she says communities are at risk if they don’t train their people.
“They might have all the assets in the world but they’re vulnerable because they don’t have people that will be willing and capable to stand up as volunteers, when another big event happens,” Ms Stratford says.
Some of the Far North’s more remote communities have small and ageing populations who must rely on others in emergencies.