National state of emergency declared

A national state of emergency has been declared after Cyclone Gabrielle unleashed fury across the North Island.

There has been widespread power outages, flooding, slips and damage to properties.

Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty says both the prime minister, and the Opposition spokesperson for emergency management are supportive of the move.

He says this is an unprecedented weather event impacting much of the North Island.

This is only the third time in New Zealand history a National State of Emergency has been declared.

Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty has declared a national state of emergency this morning.

Speaking to media at the Beehive, he says Tararua District has also declared a state of emergency.

He says Cyclone Gabrielle has had major impacts across most of the North Island.

"This is a significant disaster with a real threat to the lives of New Zealanders. Today we are expecting to see more rain and high winds. We are through the worst of the storm itself but we know we are facing extensive flooding, slips, damaged roads and infrastructure."

"This is absolutely not a reflection on the outstanding work being done by emergency responders who have been working tirelessly, local leadership, or civil defence teams in the affected areas. It is simply that NEMA's advice is that we can better support those affected regions through a nationally coordinated approach."

He says National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) met with local civil defence teams early this morning and heard that a national state of emergency would be beneficial for them.

It allows the government to support affected regions, coordinate additional resources as they are needed across multiple regions and help set the priorities across the country for the response, he says.

"Our message to everyone affected is: safety first. Look after each other, your family and your neighbours. Please continue to follow local civil defence advice and please minimise travel in affected areas. If you are worried about your safety - particularly because of the threat of flooding or slips - then don't wait for emergency services to contact you.

"Leave, and seek safety either with family, friends, or at one of the many civil defence centres that have been opened."

He says iwi, community groups and many others have opened up shelters and offering food and support to those in need.

"I also want to acknowledge that there have been reports of a missing firefighter - a volunteer firefighter - who is a professional and highly trained but left their family to work for their communities and the search continues. "Our thoughts are with the FENZ staff and their families."

Acting Civil Defence Director Roger Ball says we have multiple weather warnings and watches in place and the effects of the cyclone will continue to be felt across the country today.

The declaration, signed at 8.43am, applies to Northland, Auckland, Tairawhiti, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Hawke's Bay, and gives the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) the power to step in and provide additional support and logistics to local civil defence organisations.

In a statement, McAnulty said local leadership, CDEM groups, and emergency responders in all of the affected areas had been doing an outstanding job, "but the widespread damage caused by this cyclone means we need a National declaration to support them".

"A National State of Emergency gives the National Controller legal authority to apply resources across the country in support of a national level response."

"This declaration gives us the ability to coordination further resources for affected regions. I want to emphasise that the government has already been surging support and resources to the regions for some days."

It is only the third national state of emergency in New Zealand's history, the other two being the Christchurch earthquakes and Covid-19.

National state of emergency: What you need to know

• The New Zealand government has declared a National State of Emergency, to assist in the response to Cyclone Gabrielle.
• The declaration will apply to the six regions that have already declared a local State of Emergency: Northland, Auckland, Tairawhiti, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Hawke's Bay.
• A national state of emergency gives the national controller legal authority to apply further resources across the country and set priorities in support of a national level response.
• Put safety first. Don't take any chances. Act quickly if you see rising water. Floods and flash floods can happen quickly. If you see rising water do not wait for official warnings. Head for higher ground and stay away from floodwater.
• Stay at home if it is safe to do so. But have an evacuation plan in case your home becomes unsafe to stay in.
• If you have evacuated, please stay where you are until you are given the all-clear to go home.
• People should stay up to date with the forecasts from MetService and continue to follow the advice of Civil Defence and emergency services.
• Do not try to walk, play, swim, or drive in floodwater: even water just 15 centimetres deep can sweep you off your feet, and half a metre of water will carry away most vehicles. Flood water is often contaminated and can make you sick.