We have been waiting for so long for summer to come. But now the sun is here, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of guilt as other parts of the country deal with
Cyclone Gabrielle: When one region is hurting, others need to step up
![Zoe Hunter](https://s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/nzme/088e0187-6d27-467c-870a-f8b6b3b20ce9.png)
At least we know they are okay.
Emergency teams have been working hard to hunt for missing people and rushing essential supplies to isolated communities.
In a time when one region is hurting, other regions need to step up and, already, there have been examples of the Bay of Plenty sending help to those in cyclone-ravaged communities.
The aero clubs in Tauranga and Rotorua have been flying in essential supplies to Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti. A combined effort by Waiariki Women’s Refuge Rotorua, Rotorua Whakaora and the city’s aero club saw more than $100,000 worth of supplies flown in and $1000 donated by the Rotorua Trust.
Meanwhile, the Tauranga community donated 45 tonnes of supplies in three days for the local aero club’s aid mission.
Civil Defence organisation Emergency Management Bay of Plenty was sending eight of the 20 members of its team to the harder-hit regions to help in whatever way they can. Council workers and firefighters were also among those heading in to help relieve locals.
The New Zealand Defence Force had 600 members on the ground plus aircraft, helicopters, trucks and ships, and more coming.
National Emergency Management Agency acting emergency management director Roger Ball said the country could be proud of the amazing efforts and support from first responders.
For those who can, he said donations of money were the most effective way to offer support.
A joint appeal between NZME (publisher of the Bay of Plenty Times, Rotorua Daily Post and NZ Herald) and the Red Cross has raised more than $5 million for the latter’s disaster fund.
Every little bit helps.
For those of us safe in our own homes, it feels like the least we can do to help these regions get back on their feet.