The Tararua District had also now declared a local state of emergency.
“This is an unprecedented weather event that is having major impacts across much of the North Island,” McAnulty said.
NEMA had been in close contact with local civil defence emergency management (CDEM) teams of affected areas to assess the need of a declaration of a state of National Emergency.
“NEMA has been giving advice to myself and the prime minister on the need of a national State of Emergency based on the assessments of the local teams, and until now the advice has been that it was not necessary,” he said.
Based on feedback from the groups and NEMA, he considered the criteria for a national state had been met.
“The local leadership, CDEM groups, and emergency responders in all of the affected areas have been doing an outstanding job, but the widespread damage caused by this cyclone means we need a National declaration to support them,” he said.
“This declaration will enable the Government to support the affected regions, provide additional resources as they are needed, and help set the priorities across the country for the response.”
A National State of Emergency gave the National Controller legal authority to apply resources across the country in support of a national level response.
“This declaration gives us the ability to co-ordinate further resources for affected regions,” McAnulty said.
“I want to emphasise that the Government has already been surging support and resources to the regions for some days.”
Speaking to media this morning, McAnulty said the decision to call a national state of emergency was not a reflection of a lack of effort by first responders, who had done great work.
His message to affected Kiwis was “safety first” and to follow Civil Defence advice.
“If you are worried about your safety ... then don’t wait for emergency services to contact you.”
Acting Director Civil Defence Emergency Management Roger Ball emphasised the Government had been surging support to the regions for many days and the declaration wouldn’t change the job for local teams but did allow the setting of overall intent and the distribution of resources nationally.
He said it was not his intent to micromanage responses in local areas.
On what the public should do, Ball encouraged people who felt unsafe to go to Civil Defence shelters.
In impacted areas with advice to stay home and not travel, Ball asked people to follow it. He said people should not enter floodwaters.
“This is still a dangerous weather event,” Ball said
Asked what the event was that prompted the national state, he said it wasn’t a specific event but consultation with relevant groups on the ground and in the national coordination centre proved that the total effects of the cyclone meant a national state of emergency was necessary.
The national declaration – which had otherwise only been used after the Christchurch Earthquake and the Covid-19 pandemic - was incredibly rare.
According to one definition, for a National State of Emergency to be declared, the situation must be an emergency under the CDEM Act and meet three legal tests.
It had to be as a result of any emergency happening, whether natural or otherwise; one that caused or could cause loss of life, injury, illness or distress “or in any way endangers the safety of the public”; and could not be dealt with by emergency services, “or otherwise requires a significant and coordinated response under the CDEM Act”.
Ball said the national state of emergency allowed a more efficient distribution of resources.
“No effort will be spared” now that a national state of emergency had been declared, he said.
This ensured central oversight of “critical” resources and the ability to respond to multiple regions’ needs.
The declaration comes after the Government yesterday announced $11.5 million would go towards those responding to Cyclone Gabrielle.
Of the funding, $4m is for providers to ensure they can meet increased demand and support wellbeing of their staff and volunteers due to flooding and cyclone damage.
Another $1m is to replenish stocks at food banks currently experiencing high demand, $2m to community groups to support flood response, $4m for people supporting Auckland and impacted regions’ flood response efforts and $500,000 to respond to the needs of disabled people.
