Multiple agencies and organisations have been involved in the Rotorua Civil Defence emergency response, which is currently transitioning to recovery mode, to help the district’s residents who’ve been affected by the aftermath of the 29th of April (Sunday).

A total of 123.6mm rain fell in the district on that Sunday resulting in surface and property flooding, sewage backflow and road slips across the district.

The event significantly impacted a large number of residents in Ngongotahā who had to be evacuated after the Ngongotahā Stream burst its banks.

Rotorua Lakes Council’s Civil Defence Emergency Operations Centre has been supported by various groups including community organisations, regional groups and agencies outside of Rotorua.

Rotorua Mayor, Steve Chadwick, would like to thank everyone who has been involved in responding to the event and who will be working towards helping whānau to get back on their feet.

“At the core of our whakaaro (thoughts) has been the welfare of our people. He aha te mea nui o te ao, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata (What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people). We are sincerely grateful to everyone including our residents who’ve helped each other and the various agencies that are helping us through,” she says.

To support the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), Mayor Chadwick has been visiting some of the communities that have been identified as affected such as Rerewhakaaitu, Reporoa and Paradise Valley.

This information has been provided to the (EOC intelligence and welfare team) to help colour the bigger picture of the situation.

“Various groups have provided support in responding to the situation and will provide manaakitanga (support) moving into the recovery phase. There are so many individuals and groups to say thank you too. Including groups like the Ngongotahā, Ōkareka and Tarawera Volunteer Fire Brigades.”

Rotorua Lakes Council’s Civil Defence team has started making a list of the remarkable individuals and groups which have provided support to Rotorua residents.

The list of acknowledgements is growing each day and can be found here.
Moving forward
• Despite the immediate threat being over, our primary focus remains the welfare of people
• We will be moving from the emergency response phase to Recovery
What does this mean?
• This will be a long on-going process of support
• With fewer community and media updates via the Council website/ social media and media conferences
• Given we have identified most of the affected communities, we aim to personalise our communication output to serve the affected communities which include Ngongotahā, Reporoa, Rerewhakaaitu and Paradise Valley and parts of Rotorua city
Please remember
• If you have been affected by the severe weather on April 29, please contact Council free on 0800 020 001
• Or if you know someone who hasn’t contacted Council and has been affected please ring us on 0800 020 001
• We want to ensure we know of everyone who needs help, to find out what their issues are, and how we can support them through the multiple agencies we are working with
Donations
• Please remember, if you wish to make a donation to help people who have been affected, you can give a koha (donation) via:

Account number: 02-0412-0234516-006
• How: Direct Credit or in person at Rotorua Lakes Council building.
• Details: No specific statement details are needed.
• Thank you to everyone who has helped neighbours and strangers alike. Your spirit has been so encouraging to all the volunteers working through this event. Thank you also to the families of all our volunteers, and to employers who allowed your staff to help. You can find a list of acknowledgements HERE.

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