Helena Bay Hill slip. Photo / Ngātiwai Trust Board
Helena Bay Hill slip. Photo / Ngātiwai Trust Board
THE FACTS
The Hikurangi-Coastal ward has moved from emergency response to recovery, highlighting community strength and collaboration.
Community leaders, marae and Civil Defence teams ensured support reached those in need, emphasising partnership.
Strengthening relationships with iwi and hapū is vital for addressing Northland’s challenges and building resilience.
This week, as the Hikurangi-Coastal ward moves out of the State of Emergency, I’m reminded of how important our relationships are across the district and the wider region.
The past few weeks have tested our communities and our infrastructure, but they have also highlighted the strength thatcomes from working together with purpose.
Shifting from immediate response to recovery marks an important step forward, and I want to acknowledge everyone who has played a role in helping our communities through this challenging period.
Over the past fortnight, I have spent time with many of the marae, community leaders and government agencies involved in the response.
Their leadership has been critical. The community hui held across the district, supported by hapū and local Civil Defence teams, ensured that support reached the whānau and neighbourhoods that needed it most.
These hui were not just operational, they were grounded in partnership, connection and shared responsibility. This collaboration is exactly what makes Northland resilient.
It’s been special to see the response play out at the community level, including all the fantastic work done by the ratepayer associations.
It goes without saying that we feel deeply for the Ōakura Hall Committee, who had put such huge effort into restoring and maintaining a key community asset prior to the storm.
This week I am at Waitangi as part of the commemorations around Waitangi Day. It is an opportunity to reflect on the significance of our shared history, but also to strengthen our relationships with iwi and hapū across Te Tai Tokerau.
Crowds attend the dawn ceremony at Te Whare Rūnanga during Waitangi Day commemorations. Photo / Jason Dorday
The kōrero here builds on the partnerships we have seen in action during the recent weather event. Whether in a Civil Defence centre or at the Treaty Grounds, the message is the same: enduring relationships are essential to our future.
Strengthening these relationships is also vital as we work with central government. Northland’s challenges, whether they involve infrastructure, resilience or community wellbeing, can only be addressed if local knowledge and central support are aligned.
Over the past few weeks, we have seen a strong willingness from agencies to collaborate and support local efforts. Continuing that partnership will be crucial as we move from response into recovery and begin planning for long-term resilience.
As we navigate the early weeks of 2026, I remain optimistic. The dedication of our emergency teams, the leadership shown by hapū and marae, the response of community groups, and the willingness of agencies to work together all point toward a stronger, more connected future for the district.
Our commitment remains clear, to stand alongside our communities, to build meaningful partnerships and to work together for a resilient Northland.
