All “Cyclone Gabrielle response” topics

This Briefing from the Public Health Communication Centre Aotearoa aims to provide at least a brief overview of the Cyclone Gabrielle disaster by identifying key quantifiable impacts. It collates key statistics from media reports, government statements, Official Information Act Requests, and data provided by private companies.

When Cyclone Gabrielle hit the North Island earlier this year, the strong winds and widespread flooding caused major disruption to the roading networks and core services throughout the Hawkes Bay, Auckland and Northland regions. In many regions key transport routes were completely cut off, isolating communities and hindering access to vital services. This created immense challenges for emergency response teams, as well as for residents attempting to evacuate or seek assistance. The disruption to the roading network also had significant economic consequences, impacting transportation of goods and services, and causing delays in supply chains.

Napier Port extends its care and support to everyone affected by the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle. We also want to acknowledge and thank all the individuals, organisations and communities who have worked tirelessly over the last few months to support Hawke’s Bay and its people with the initial response and immediate recovery.

Gisborne transport operator Steve Weatherell has navigated his fair share of adverse weather events, slips and blocked roads. So, the disastrous impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle weren’t going to stop him […]

Booth’s Logistics in Hastings found itself at the epicentre of Cyclone Gabrielle’s impact. Its Executive Director, Stewart Taylor, says the weather’s effects were felt throughout the business’ entire network – not just in Hastings and Hawke’s Bay.

Following the cancellation of 509 flights, Air New Zealand’s international and domestic network was back up and running on 15 February. Flying into heavily impacted regions New Plymouth, Napier and Gisborne had also resumed with some minor disruptions as the airline worked through operationalising the routes.

Preparing for and responding to disasters is what we do. Even so, the scale of the devastation caused by recent weather and Cyclone Gabrielle is enormous. We know that communities all around the North Island are dealing with huge loss and uncertainty. We’re on the ground providing support where we can. We are also working hard on a plan to use the New Zealand Disaster Fund to support these communities to recover and to support Aotearoa New Zealand through future emergencies.

The road to restoring the beating heart of Hawke’s Bay’s economy in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle promises to be a daunting one, spanning years of dedicated efforts and requiring hundreds of millions of dollars in investments.