Princess Anne’s message for Kiwis after visiting Cyclone Gabrielle response staff. Video / TVNZ
Princess Anne has shared a message for Kiwis affected by Cyclone Gabrielle after visiting the National Crisis Management Centre today.
The Princess Royal, who landed in Wellington this morning, said in a statement, “My thoughts are with all New Zealanders whose homes or livelihoods have been affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.
”I have been given the opportunity to visit the national disaster and crisis headquarters today and I am impressed by the major efforts being undertaken by first responders, local and national agencies to ensure the best possible support for everyone, especially those still at risk.”
Princess Anne's plans for her visit to NZ have changed due to Cyclone Gabrielle. Pool photograph by Robert Kitchin / Stuff
She continued, “I admire the courage of the people of Aotearoa during this alarming and difficult time. You should all be proud of the resilience, strength and care for your communities you are showing in the face of adversity.
It comes after Anne’s trip to New Zealand saw some last-minute schedule changes due to Cyclone Gabrielle.
Earlier today, she was pictured visiting the Beehive Bunker to meet with crisis response staff dealing with the impacts of the cyclone.
The Princess Royal and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence left the UK on Sunday night local time and travelled to Aotearoa for a four-day trip, initially planned to mark the NZ Army’s Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals’ 100th anniversary celebrations at Palmerston North’s Linton Military Camp.
Princess Anne, Princess Royal inspects a guard of honor during a visit to the Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals and Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps at Burnham Military Camp in November 2008 in Christchurch. Photo / Martin Hunter / Getty Images
But they have arrived amid the cyclone that’s being described as the country’s biggest weather event in a century, battering the North Island with flooding, landslides, power cuts and destruction.
Anne was due to arrive at Linton Military Camp today to visit the Army contingent, of which she is colonel-in-chief.
But the New Zealand Defence Force has said in a statement that the engagement will no longer take place as the Army’s focus is on the storm response.
She was also set to meet with Prime Minister Chris Hipkins - but according to RNZ, there may have been a change of plan.
The Princess Royal has also reportedly visited Te Papa to see the museum’s Gallipoli exhibition.
She will lay a wreath at the Pukeahu National War Memorial in Wellington this afternoon, and will visit the Riding for the Disabled in Porirua, of which she is a patron, tomorrow.
The National War Memorial’s Hall of Memories is reopening for Anne’s visit after being closed for three years due to earthquake risk.
The royal heads to Christchurch on Friday.
Chris Hipkins first announced the visit earlier this month.
“Princess Anne is travelling to Aotearoa at the request of the NZ Army’s Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals, of which she is Colonel in Chief, to attend its 100th-anniversary celebrations at Linton Military Camp in Palmerston North,” he said in a statement.
“It’s terrific that Her Royal Highness will be able to connect with past and present members of the Corps and acknowledge the importance of signallers within New Zealand Defence Force operations over the last 100 years. The Princess Royal last visited New Zealand in 2010. I look forward to welcoming Princess Anne back to Aotearoa.”
