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Last modified: 17 Apr 2023 1:06pm

Picture of the staff and volunteers in three rows in the Council chambers

Thousands of hours of hard work helping people across the North Island through recent emergencies was recognised last week.

A group of 28 Council staff and Selwyn Civil Defence volunteers were thanked for their time as part of Civil Defence responses to the January 2023 Auckland floods and to Cyclone Gabrielle response, in a ceremony at the Council offices.

The group including Council staff, Emergency Operations Centre volunteers, NZRT21 (Selwyn Response Team) members and Selwyn Emergency Support Team members completed more than 3000 hours supporting communities in Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, Northland and Gisborne.

Selwyn Head of Emergency Management Al Lawn says the team had done Selwyn proud.
“Our Selwyn team are well regarded around the country and they did a great job once again. Their whanau and their employers were generous in supporting them to go. They were part of the very large group of people from all across our community and around the country. It really shows the strength of community involvement in Emergency Management and how it can support other communities in other parts of the country.”

Council staff member Dave Tippett says it was a hugely rewarding opportunity.
“It really brings out the best in people. Everyone is there doing their best to help the community and you bring back your learnings to help Selwyn and the community.”

NZRT21 deputy team leader Belinda Mathers says she really felt a strong bond while being deployed to Karekare near Piha.
“They really appreciated the support, and when they found out we came all the way from Canterbury, they were blown away.”

The team are organising a 34km sponsored walk across Banks Peninsula to raise money for  Karekare’s recovery.

The Selwyn district is also supporting Tai Rāwhiti Gisborne with its recovery, including through a charity auction on Friday 5 May.

Find out more about the response team Long Road to Recovery walk and the Giving for Gisborne charity auction .