Soldiers prepare for a busy day of work helping in the recovery at Te Araroa and Wharekahika/Hicks Bay this week. Photo / NZ Defence Force
Soldiers prepare for a busy day of work helping in the recovery at Te Araroa and Wharekahika/Hicks Bay this week. Photo / NZ Defence Force
New Zealand Army personnel have been hard at it since arriving at East Cape and pitching in across a range of recovery support activities.
A New Zealand Defence Forces (NZDF) spokesman said they moved the bulk of personnel to Te Araroa and Wharekahika/Hicks Bay by air and ground.
Around 140engineers and support staff were deployed to the top of the cape to help out.
Soldiers remove silt and debris from a flooded property in Te Araroa. Photo / NZ Defence Force
“Multiple airlifts using a Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopter deployed teams to Hicks Bay to support the recovery effort,” the spokesman said.
“On the ground, large New Zealand Army convoys travelled from Gisborne through winding roads to Te Araroa.
A large number of hazardous trees have been cut down as part of the NZ Army's assistance in the flood recovery work. Photo / NZ Defence Force
“We established a staging area in support of the surrounding region.
The Army's heavy machinery taken up to the top of the cape has been put to good use. Photo / NZ Defence Force
“Our personnel have also been working to clear waterway blockages using excavators, make safe areas of electrical concern, install pumps, assess water storage and evaluate community buildings for damage.”
The military have been helping out in a range of recovery areas. Photo / NZ Defence Force
The troops have felled hazardous trees, cleared debris from streams and removed thousands of cubic metres of silt and debris from houses, roads, fields and drainage culverts.
