02 September 2016

Communities come together after earthquake

Māori Party Co-leaders Te Ururoa Flavell and Marama Fox say they are overwhelmed by the resilience shown by our people after experiencing a 7.1 magnitude earthquake this morning.

Mr Flavell says while there are reports of some properties damaged from the quake which struck about 130km north-east of Te Araroa at a depth of 55km at 4.37am, he is pleased to hear no one has been hurt in the event.

“It has amazed me just how resilient our East Coast people are, they are a hardy lot. They know that in times of crisis or hardship it’s about banding together whether you are Māori or Pākehā and helping one another out.”

“Community spirit is not a one off thing. New Zealand has a history of coming together in times of hardship, look at the Christchurch earthquake and even the 1987 Edgecumbe earthquake. We had neighbours checking on neighbours, it’s the Kiwi spirit.”

Ms Fox says the quake was a timely reminder for people to have emergency plans in place for just such occasions.

“I’m heartened to hear that the communities have come together both kaumātua and our rangatahi. I’ve been keeping in contact with our people back in the rohe and it’s good to see they are talking about emergency plans and checking on one another.

Ms Fox says Civil Defence are advising people that more aftershocks can be expected.

“Listen to the radio for updated emergency information and instructions. But most of all remember to look after one another, there are people out there that require special assistance; infants, kaumātua as well as people with disabilities. We all need to be there for each other.”

© Scoop Media