NZDF ‘HERE FOR THE LONG HAUL’

Offloading: A crayfishing boat tied up alongside HMNZS Manawanui at Tokomaru Bay to take on supplies, including diesel, clothes, fresh water and food, for the isolated East Coast communities. Inset, more supplies are unloaded from an NZDF helicopter. NZDF pictures

HMNZS Manawanui arrived in Gisborne waters yesterday bringing supplies of food, water and diesel.

It returned today and tied up at the overseas wharf.

Ship’s commander Yvonne Gray said the navy reached Tairāwhiti on Wednesday with about four tonnes of frozen and fresh food, 21,000 litres of fresh water and other supplies like clothes, sleeping bags, portable toilets and tents.

“We delivered about two tonnes of food and 1000 litres of water to residents at Tokomaru Bay and Waipiro Bay first, before arriving at Gisborne Harbour today (Thursday morning).”

Commander Gray said at both places, a number of infrastructures had disappeared, roads had been taken away and they had no network coverage.

“For Waipiro their boat ramp is inaccessible at the moment. Residents didn’t understand what was going on, so we were able to give them some information as well.

“But I have to say that the spirit among the people was so positive.”

Commander Gray said the people were just happy to see anyone arrive and communicate with them.

“ They were appreciative when we provided them with diesel which they are using to run their generator as they have no power. If we can help them start their lives then that’s a win for us.”

Junior officer Sub-lieutenant Zane McEntee is one of several sailors on board with family connections on the East Coast.

“ I have got family friends who own a farm just to the north of Tolaga Bay which was affected by the cyclone this week.

“ We have tried to get in touch with them, made SAT calls but we still have nothing. There are a few others like me who have connections to the Coast but as Navy we are all trained to handle this sort of situation.”

The ship has desalination machinery which can turn 15,000 litres of seawater into fresh water.

Commander Gray said they were told the local Civil Defence team would provide them with a list of requirements.

“At the moment as I understand it the Army is taking the supplies from the harbour to storage areas,” she said.

NZ Army officer Major Jethro Gilbert said the supplies were being kept at the Gisborne Wharf and Civil Defence were distributing them to communities across the region.

“The army involvement is that we work to whatever the local Civil Defence require. So we respond in a few different capacities, such as delivering supplies to remote areas, engaging with local communities, and doing some assessments.”

On Wednesday the army delivered up to 60 food parcels to communities on Waimata Valley and Wharekopae roads.

Major Gilbert said the army engineers had equipment that could pump water and turn bad water into fresh water.

“At the moment they are headed down to Wairoa to help the residents with their water issues.

“We currently have about 16 military personnel (here), which is going to increase to about 24 between Wairoa and Gisborne.”

Major Gilbert said the defence forces would continue to assist the wider community and were here for the long haul.