Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell is keeping Wairoa on his radar.

Minister Mitchell called into town to check in on Wairoa’s flood-related recovery.

Minister Mitchell said he has high-level respect and admiration for the depth of capability of the Wairoa people. “I love Wairoa, it is a beautiful township and has been hit hard, and I am impressed with the level of cleanup that has already taken place.

Minister Mitchell acknowledged the level of fatigue Wairoa people were experiencing when dealing with weather and flooding events. “Wairoa has experienced back-to-back events, but there is still a sense of positivity.

Minister Mitchell also praised the Wairoa Civil Defence emergency response to the June flooding event, saying he and the team in Wellington admire and recognise the calibre of the response.

“Wairoa is working as a team and is looking forward. Wairoa is a great place, and you need to embrace that.”

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said Minister Mitchell and Prime Minister Luxon’s reassurance that Wairoa will return to its previous better days has given the town confidence and optimism about a brighter future. “Thank you for listening to us, supporting us, and trusting that we know our community best.”

Caption:  Minister for Emergency Management Mark Mitchell and Cyclone Recovery Private Secretary Joanna Carr (right) called into Wairoa to check on post-flooding progress. They are pictured with Civil Defence Controller Juanita Savage, Council Chief Executive Kitea Tipuna and Deputy Mayor Denise Eaglesome-Karekare.

12 August 2024

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