A national state of emergency has been declared in New Zealand, after a night of extreme weather which left towns cut off across the North Island.
Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty declared a national state of emergency on Tuesday.
It was only the third time a New Zealand Government had declared a national state of emergency. The previous declarations came for the Christchurch earthquakes and Covid-19 pandemic.
He said the declaration would apply to the six regions that had declared a local state of emergency: Northland, Auckland, Tairāwhiti, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Hawke’s Bay.
“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.
“A National State of Emergency gives the National Controller legal authority to apply resources across the country in support of a national level response.”
Monday night saw widespread damage across the North Island as Cyclone Gabrielle moved closer.
SOURCE: STUFF NZ/PACNEWS
