Hawke's Bay cyclone survey closes January 15; around 1000 responses so far

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

This week is the final chance for Wairoa residents to share their experiences as part of an independent review of the Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group’s response to Cyclone Gabrielle.

The short and simple online survey closes on Monday, January 15. It can be accessed at feedback.askyourteam.com/CBqcR2c

“In addition to an ongoing series of community focus groups, the online survey has been open since mid-November 2023,” a CDEM independent review panel lead Mike Bush said.

Hawke’s Bay communities and mana whenua have been invited to anonymously share their experiences and their views on the response to Cyclone Gabrielle during the days immediately leading into the event and then the immediate emergency response stage.

“Since its launch, the independent review panel has received close to 1000 responses from residents from Wairoa to Pōrangahau, with the community and mana whenua feedback continuing to form an important part of the ongoing review process.

“The panel also continues to make good progress and remains on track to deliver its final report to the Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group joint committee by the end of March 2024.

“Revisiting the events and the trauma related to Cyclone Gabrielle will be challenging for some people. As an important reminder, there is support available to those who may need it (go to hbemergency.govt.nz/cyclone-gabrielle-review/where-to-get-help),” Mr Bush said.