Latest news with #EmergencyManagementandRecovery
1News
31-07-2025
- Climate
- 1News
Full video: Minister gives tsunami threat update
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell is speaking as the threat of coastal surges for New Zealand's coastline continues. He earlier apologised for the early morning wake up New Zealanders received due to the loud emergency alert to mobile phones. 'We're a coastal nation, and it was really important to notify people,' he said. An 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off Russia's far east yesterday, leading to warnings across the Pacific. NEMA said New Zealand could still expect "strong and unusual currents" and "unpredictable surges" at the shore until mid-afternoon.
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Government Supports Tairāwhiti Marae To Relocate To Safer Ground
Press Release – New Zealand Government The Marae Trustees of Puketawai, Hinemaurea ki Mangatuna, Okuri, Takip, and Rangatira Marae supported by their whnau and hap have made the difficult decision to relocate and re-establish their respective marae in new locations. Hon Mark Mitchell Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Five Tairāwhiti marae impacted by the North Island weather events of early 2023, are moving to safer locations with support from the Crown,' said Mark Mitchell, Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery and Tama Potaka, Minister for Māori Development. 'The Marae Trustees of Puketawai, Hinemaurea ki Mangatuna, Okuri, Takipū, and Rangatira Marae – supported by their whānau and hapū – have made the difficult decision to relocate and re-establish their respective marae in new locations. 'The local council designated these marae, as Category 3 – High Risk, and not safe to occupy because of unacceptable risk to life from future extreme weather. 'Each of the marae have accepted the Crown's support package and have acquired new sites to relocate to. The new sites are in close proximity within, or close to, their respective tribal boundaries,' says Mark Mitchell. 'The impact of the severe weather on the marae was devastating for the many whānau and hapū connected to these marae and their wider community. 'The decision to relocate is not an easy one and has come from the desire of the Marae Trustees to keep their marae, and their respective whānau, safe and secure, protecting the lives of those who might otherwise be at real risk from any future severe weather events.' Minister for Māori Development, Tama Potaka says relocating the individual marae will take time. 'We expect the relocation works, including the rebuild of wharenui and whare kai where required due to the damage, will take place over the next two or so years. For some of the marae, the project is a complete rebuild. 'Reaching this point is a significant milestone. Most importantly, it will provide affected whanau and hapu peace of mind, and will have the added benefit of creating opportunities for SMEs and jobs. This augments the growing construction capability on the East Coast as a result of the mahi at Toitū Tairāwhiti and others,' says Mr Potaka. Of the five marae three are located in the Uawa – Tolaga Bay area and the other two are in Te Karaka. 'The Crown is also working with two Kahungunu Marae, Tangoio and Petāne in Hawke's Bay with support packages available to both marae so they too can reestablish in safer locations. These marae were also designated, by their local council, as having an unacceptable risk to life.' A total of $136.215m, allocated from Budgets 23 and 24 will fund the entire Whenua Māori and Marae relocation Programme after North Island weather events. It includes the costs to relocate owners of 24 whenua Māori properties to safety as well as demolition of residential structures and covers some assistance to support affected sites of cultural significance, principally urūpa. 'The Crown recognises moving a marae requires careful navigation. This is not an easy journey, and we would like to thank the Marae Trustees for working with us to ensure the safety of people on marae,' Mr Potaka says. Notes: In all cases ownership of the whenua remains with the existing owners. The cost for each Marae relocation is commercially sensitive due to procurement undertakings. Geographic location of all Category 3 Marae in Tairāwhiti:
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Government Supports Tairāwhiti Marae To Relocate To Safer Ground
Hon Mark Mitchell Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Minister for Māori Development Five Tairāwhiti marae impacted by the North Island weather events of early 2023, are moving to safer locations with support from the Crown,' said Mark Mitchell, Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery and Tama Potaka, Minister for Māori Development. 'The Marae Trustees of Puketawai, Hinemaurea ki Mangatuna, Okuri, Takipū, and Rangatira Marae – supported by their whānau and hapū – have made the difficult decision to relocate and re-establish their respective marae in new locations. 'The local council designated these marae, as Category 3 – High Risk, and not safe to occupy because of unacceptable risk to life from future extreme weather. 'Each of the marae have accepted the Crown's support package and have acquired new sites to relocate to. The new sites are in close proximity within, or close to, their respective tribal boundaries,' says Mark Mitchell. 'The impact of the severe weather on the marae was devastating for the many whānau and hapū connected to these marae and their wider community. 'The decision to relocate is not an easy one and has come from the desire of the Marae Trustees to keep their marae, and their respective whānau, safe and secure, protecting the lives of those who might otherwise be at real risk from any future severe weather events.' Minister for Māori Development, Tama Potaka says relocating the individual marae will take time. 'We expect the relocation works, including the rebuild of wharenui and whare kai where required due to the damage, will take place over the next two or so years. For some of the marae, the project is a complete rebuild. 'Reaching this point is a significant milestone. Most importantly, it will provide affected whanau and hapu peace of mind, and will have the added benefit of creating opportunities for SMEs and jobs. This augments the growing construction capability on the East Coast as a result of the mahi at Toitū Tairāwhiti and others,' says Mr Potaka. Of the five marae three are located in the Uawa - Tolaga Bay area and the other two are in Te Karaka. 'The Crown is also working with two Kahungunu Marae, Tangoio and Petāne in Hawke's Bay with support packages available to both marae so they too can reestablish in safer locations. These marae were also designated, by their local council, as having an unacceptable risk to life.' A total of $136.215m, allocated from Budgets 23 and 24 will fund the entire Whenua Māori and Marae relocation Programme after North Island weather events. It includes the costs to relocate owners of 24 whenua Māori properties to safety as well as demolition of residential structures and covers some assistance to support affected sites of cultural significance, principally urūpa. 'The Crown recognises moving a marae requires careful navigation. This is not an easy journey, and we would like to thank the Marae Trustees for working with us to ensure the safety of people on marae,' Mr Potaka says.
Otago Daily Times
02-05-2025
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Response praised after Canterbury floods
The Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery has praised the community response to the severe weather over the last week. Christchurch and Banks Peninsula are still in a state of emergency after torrential rain hit the Canterbury region, while households across Wellington, Wairarapa, and Manawatū remain without power following a rare "threat to life" warning with the strongest wind in over a decade. "As a country, we've always had these weather events - particularly people in the South Island, they're used to water and rain. However, they are becoming more intense and severe," Mark Mitchell told Saturday Morning. "Communities are becoming more and more sensitive to that, and realising that as a country to strengthen our response and be more resilient, it's not just central government, local government or regional government, or our first responders - it's a whole of community response." Mitchell said he could see a difference between when he first became the Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery to now. He said those in Canterbury had told him that there was good communication, and the Civil Defence teams had done a "very, very good job in terms of responding early to their needs". The local state of emergency has lifted for Selwyn, and Mitchell said the main concern was now the surface flooding, which was "starting to abate". "I'll be out checking, making sure that, first of all, residents are taken care of and they can identify clearly what needs to be done in terms of infrastructure and property damage. I'm on standby from central government to support once I've been able to identify that," Mitchell added. He also said power companies had been working "flat out" to restore power to households across Wellington, Wairarapa, and Manawatū. There was also work underway for a new Emergency Management Bill to replace the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002, which Mitchell said was out of consultation. "I want to make that absolutely fit for purpose." Ferries operating again Meanwhile, the Interislander ferry Aratere was the first of the Cook Strait ferries away from Wellington this morning, heading for Picton. Interislander and Bluebridge ships were kept at their berths from Wednesday because of high swells from the southerly storm. Interislander says it is putting on additional sailings on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Bluebridge says it has added additional sailings to its schedule today. These are the 1.30 sailing this afternoon from Wellington and the 7.15 this evening from Picton.
RNZ News
02-05-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister praises community after Canterbury floods
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell and Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger provide an update on the flood recovery efforts in Canterbury. Photo: RNZ/Nathan Mckinnon The Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery has praised the community response to the severe weather over the last week. Christchurch and Banks Peninsula are still in a state of emergency after torrential rain hit the Canterbury region, while households across Wellington, Wairarapa, and Manawatū remain without power following a rare "threat to life" warning with the strongest wind in over a decade. "As a country, we've always had these weather events - particularly people in the South Island, they're used to water and rain. However, they are becoming more intense and severe," Mark Mitchell told Saturday Morning . "Communities are becoming more and more sensitive to that, and realising that as a country to strengthen our response and be more resilient, it's not just central government, local government or regional government, or our first responders - it's a whole of community response." Mitchell said he could see a difference between when he first became the Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery to now. He said those in Canterbury had told him that there was good communication, and the Civil Defence teams had done a "very, very good job in terms of responding early to their needs". The local state of emergency has lifted for Selwyn, and Mitchell said the main concern was now the surface flooding, which was "starting to abate". "I'll be out checking, making sure that, first of all, residents are taken care of and they can identify clearly what needs to be done in terms of infrastructure and property damage. I'm on standby from central government to support once I've been able to identify that," Mitchell added. He also said power companies had been working "flat out" to restore power to households across Wellington, Wairarapa, and Manawatū. There was also work underway for a new Emergency Management Bill to replace the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002, which Mitchell said was out of consultation. "I want to make that absolutely fit for purpose." Meanwhile, the Cook Strait Ferries are expected to be running again today after large swells cancelled services for the last couple of days. Data from the Marine Traffic ship tracker shows Interislander ferry the Aratere is en route from Wellington to Picton. Bluebridge's first sailing is meanwhile expected to be later this morning. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
