Group's work in storms honoured

Northland CDEM Group with Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye at the award ceremony at Parliament on Tuesday. From left: Bill Hutchinson, Colin Kitchen, Ms Kaye, Claire Nyberg and Shona Morgan. Photo / Supplied

Northland's Civil Defence Group has been honoured in Parliament for its work during three major storms last year that led to widespread flooding and destruction across the region.

Northland was hammered by three winter storms last year that brought flooding to many areas, with homes in Moerewa needing to be evacuated and hugh slips on roads across the region. The storms, in June and July, cut the district off from the rest of the country and triggered close to 400 slips. There were massive slips on State Highway One south of Kawakawa and one on the Brynderwyns.

A 28-year-old mother from Wellington died after she was swept away by flood waters at Haruru Falls, on the banks of the Waitangi River, on July 13.

The storms sparked major Civil Defence emergencies and on Tuesday night, those efforts were recognised by Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye.

The Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group received a Civil Defence Award in recognition of the tireless effort of staff and volunteers during three storm events.

At the award ceremony Ms Kaye paid tribute to the group.

"I personally witnessed the dedication and commitment of emergency services and Civil Defence during the 2014 Northland storms," she said.

"The fact that through their efforts they managed to reach people who'd become isolated was testament to their compassion for people and their perseverance ... volunteers and team members were tired, but continued to work hard through difficult conditions such as flooding, and evacuations.

"As I stood on flooded land in Moerewa, or surveyed damage to houses caused by fallen trees, it was clear to me that not only did emergency services and Civil Defence teams step up, but the community rallied at this difficult time."

She said the awards recognised people who have been on the ground and in the thick of the action, as emergencies unfolded around them.