ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is giving an update hours after the government declared a national state of emergency over Cyclone Gabrielle.
It is only the third time in New Zealand's history an event has met the national state of emergency criteria, following the Christchurch earthquake in 2011 and Covid-19.
Hipkins says it has been "a very big night for New Zealanders", particularly in the upper North Island.
"A lot of families displaced, a lot of homes without power, extensive damage done across the country."
He says government will be working as quickly as possible with agencies and telecommunications companies to restore communication.
Hipkins also thanks first responders and says the volunteer response across the country has been phenomenal.
"I had the opportunity to speak just before with some of the families from Muriwai who were evacuated in the middle of the night, they were indicating they had felt incredibly well supported.
"We'll continue to work with those community groups to make sure that we're providing them with as much support as we can so that they can provide support to the communities that have been affected."
He says he hopes to get back to Wellington today, and has had a briefing from the team at National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The defence force is on the ground, providing logistical support, helping with evacuations, and moving supplies. They will help with the clean-up as appropriate "when we get to that point", Hipkins says.
"This extreme weather event ... probably the biggest we have seen in recent times comes hot on the heels of other extreme weather events that we have seen.
"It is a particularly tiring time, a particularly stressful time, so I want to again on behalf of all New Zealanders reiterate out thanks to all those who are working around the clock for those who need that extra support."
The cyclone unleashed destructive flooding, forced evacuations, caused power cuts and left some areas isolated with communications down and state highways closed.
Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty said Cyclone Gabrielle was a significant disaster with a real threat to lives.
"We are through the worst of the storm itself but we know we are facing extensive flooding, slips, damaged roads and infrastructure," he said.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is giving an update hours after the government declared a national state of emergency over Cyclone Gabrielle.
It is only the third time in New Zealand's history an event has met the national state of emergency criteria, following the Christchurch earthquake in 2011 and...
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is giving an update hours after the government declared a national state of emergency over Cyclone Gabrielle.
It is only the third time in New Zealand's history an event has met the national state of emergency criteria, following the Christchurch earthquake in 2011 and Covid-19.
Hipkins says it has been "a very big night for New Zealanders", particularly in the upper North Island.
"A lot of families displaced, a lot of homes without power, extensive damage done across the country."
He says government will be working as quickly as possible with agencies and telecommunications companies to restore communication.
Hipkins also thanks first responders and says the volunteer response across the country has been phenomenal.
"I had the opportunity to speak just before with some of the families from Muriwai who were evacuated in the middle of the night, they were indicating they had felt incredibly well supported.
"We'll continue to work with those community groups to make sure that we're providing them with as much support as we can so that they can provide support to the communities that have been affected."
He says he hopes to get back to Wellington today, and has had a briefing from the team at National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The defence force is on the ground, providing logistical support, helping with evacuations, and moving supplies. They will help with the clean-up as appropriate "when we get to that point", Hipkins says.
"This extreme weather event ... probably the biggest we have seen in recent times comes hot on the heels of other extreme weather events that we have seen.
"It is a particularly tiring time, a particularly stressful time, so I want to again on behalf of all New Zealanders reiterate out thanks to all those who are working around the clock for those who need that extra support."
The cyclone unleashed destructive flooding, forced evacuations, caused power cuts and left some areas isolated with communications down and state highways closed.
Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty said Cyclone Gabrielle was a significant disaster with a real threat to lives.
"We are through the worst of the storm itself but we know we are facing extensive flooding, slips, damaged roads and infrastructure," he said.
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