“I think there was a reasonable expectation that power would be lost in some parts of the region, but I don’t think anyone was fully prepared for the complete loss of telecommunications and internet connectivity.
“Police rely heavily on the ability to communicate for deployment and safety purposes, and so the period of time that it took for word to get back from outlying areas that our people were OK was an anxious one.
“One of the things that never ceases to amaze me is how committed and courageous our people who work for police in Tairāwhiti are,” he said. “It was all hands to the pump and we never had to go looking for our people here in Gisborne, on the Coast, or in Wairoa, who were on leave or rostered days off. They just turned up and said: ‘Where do you need me?’
“I and then-Area Commander Inspector Sam Aberahama will always be extremely proud of the way our people came together and got stuck in.”
Acting Insp Kirk said at Police National Headquarters, the Major Operations Centre had been activated and within three days a surge of additional police staff and equipment were deployed via defence force aircraft to Tairāwhiti to provide additional support to affected areas and enable local staff to have a break.
“This included staff with expertise in Search and Rescue (SAR), iwi liaison and community policing.
“The key priority from a crime and safety perspective was to reassure our communities that we were present, available and very capable of maintaining a policing service to the people of Tairāwhiti.
“I want to take the opportunity to thank all of the rural communities across Tairāwhiti who looked after my staff through Cyclone Gabrielle and in the aftermath.”
“They were fed, watered and given shelter — a place to put their heads down for some rest every once and a while.
“I truly appreciate it.”
