Councils pull together in wake of disaster

Councils around New Zealand are offering their support to the stricken Hurunui and Kaikoura districts in the wake of last week’s massive and devastating 7.8 earthquake and aftershocks.

Immediate work to evacuate tourists and provide emergency shelter and food is well advanced, and as the areas move into recovery mode longer-term support will be needed.

Already several councils have sent staff to share their expertise with the under pressure councils.

Those in the South Island with recent experience of such an upheaval have responded quickly to make resources available.

Selwyn District Mayor Sam Broughton says his council has sent a bus equipped with emergency and communications resources, as well as staff, to Hurunui.

“They will access Kaikoura when they can,” he says.

“We’ll also run a welfare centre in Christchurch for those coming back. We’re in this together, we know what it’s like and we appreciated the support five or six years ago. It’s now our turn to work together to help.”

Mackenzie District Mayor Graham Smith says his council has also sent staff to Hurunui to offer some relief, and he and other Canterbury mayors will be looking at what other resources they can provide to help.

He says those in rural areas will need assistance for some time to come.

“There is some real hardship there,” he says. “Woolsheds have had their foundations wrecked, roads are impassable and access is very difficult. These guys are just trying to carry on as normal but they need to get a lot of help.”

Further north Horowhenua Mayor Michael Feyen says the Council’s group manager for infrastructure service Gallo Saidy, a former Kaikoura resident who worked for the Kaikoura District Council, travelled south to help assess damage to underground pipes and other core infrastructure.

“He lived and worked there for eight years and has significant knowledge about that area,” Mr Feyen says. “It’s important to assist other communities especially in times of need.”

Local Government New Zealand President Lawrence Yule says it is heartening but not unexpected to see so much help forthcoming.

“Local government is really a family and this is what families do, they help each other in times of need,” Mr Yule says.

“It is going to take a long time for some communities to recover from these events, and councils offering support through the expertise of their staff is an excellent contribution to be making.”

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