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Cyclone Gabrielle: Fears cyclone death toll will rise, as body seen floating in water

Published

4 years ago

February 16, 2023

A man helping chopper crews pluck people from roofs in flood-hit Hawke’s Bay believes the death toll is likely worse than reported, having seen at least one body floating in water he could not reach.

On Wednesday, a young child was found dead in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle and more than 1400 people have been reported uncontactable, police said.

While the number of reports included double-ups of reports made of the same person by different people, and many thought to be the result of communication lines being down, police had “grave concerns” for several people they confirmed were missing.

The child’s death brings the total of people who have been confirmed dead following the storm to four.

Hawke’s Bay man Kelvin Taylor and his son, Cam, have spent hours rescuing people using a chopper.

Cam Taylor has seen at least one body in floodwaters and was sure there will be more.

Kevin, who owns Taylor Corp, a major apple grower and exporter, and his son accompanied helicopter crews over the past two days.

They have spent 16 helicopter hours rescuing more than 120 people from rooftops in the Dartmoor and Waiohiki areas of Hawke’s Bay.

“One body was seen floating unable to be rescued, and others winched out by chopper have spoken of seeing family members washed away,” Kelvin said.

“We are overwhelmed by the stories emerging from the Esk Valley. Our neighbours found the body of a woman among the slash on the beach yesterday.

“We want to share these stories to help people understand the extent of the devastation and the need for help and support,” he said.

On one occasion Cam and the pilot saw a white flag poking through a small hole in a roof.

While the chopper hovered above, Cam broke open the roofing tiles to rescue an elderly couple in their 80s who were trapped in the ceiling cavity. They dropped them to higher ground only to return and repeat over and over again.

“It’s devastating and totally unbelievable. People don’t realise what is out there and can’t even imagine it,” Kelvin said.

“The only comparison that people will understand is thinking of Japan after the tsunami. That’s what it looks like here in Hawke’s Bay.

“Central government is going to have to do something about this. It’s too big for local government, and there is going to be so much impact on people’s mental health when they have lost everything.”

The body of the young person was located in Eskdale, Hawke’s Bay shortly before 2pm today, police said. The child was believed to have been caught in rising water on Tuesday.

A body has also been found in the search for a volunteer firefighter missing after a landslide in Muriwai early this afternoon.

The firefighter had been missing since the slip came down on Monday night, toppling houses in Muriwai on Auckland’s west coast. Fire and Emergency said they had not yet identified the body, but would be working to do so on Wednesday.

A woman died following a landslip on a rural property in Matahorua Rd, Putorino in northern Hawke’s Bay on Tuesday afternoon, while a body was found on the Napier seashore in Bay View amid the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle.

“Police extend their condolences to the families of those who have died and continue to make enquiries into the circumstances.”

Police set up a major operations centre at Police National Headquarters on Tuesday afternoon with one of its tasks to help people get in touch with friends or family in storm affected areas that were unreachable.

An online 105 form was set up to register the names of family members.

As of 2.30pm Wednesday, 1442 people had registered people uncontactable via the form, police said.

“There are 111 reports of people now safe,” police said, while some were also duplicate reports of the same person, reported unreachable by different people.

However, police had “grave concerns” for several people they confirmed were missing from the Eastern District – Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti.

The majority of reports were from Eastern District with the remainder from across the North Island, police said.

“With other storm-affected districts reporting they are able to manage their response within existing resources, Police National Headquarters is now focussed on critical support for Eastern District.”

Police urged anyone concerned about friends and family to try their usual methods of communication first, whether that was a phone number, email, social media or a pre-planned emergency meeting place.

More than 70 staff were being redeployed from Bay of Plenty, Central, Wellington, Tasman, Canterbury and Southern districts, as well as the Royal New Zealand Police College to Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti over the next 48 hours.

The staff would be supporting recovery efforts and provide community reassurance, police said.

On Tuesday, 12 search and rescue specialist staff were deployed to assist with recovery in Eastern District.

“We are aware that many of our staff in the Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne areas have themselves been affected by the storm, but they have continued to work hard to support rescue efforts, manage road closures, and make contact with isolated people.

“Communications into and out of the area continue to be challenging, however, as telecommunication services start to come back online, Police anticipate an increase in the number of reports of missing people, found people, damage to property, and demand for basic resources such as food, water, and fuel.”

In Tāmaki Makaurau and Northland, the focus was on supporting the ongoing recovery.

Police were continuing to carry out reassurance patrolling throughout the regions and in affected areas.

– This story was first published on Stuff.

National Emergency Management Agency advice:

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.
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.
Throw away food and drinking water that has come into contact with floodwater as it is often contaminated and can make you sick.
If you see a downed power line or damaged power equipment please stop, retreat and stay well clear.
Stay at home if it is safe to do so and 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.
A National State of Emergency is in place for an initial period of seven days and applies to regions that have declared a local State of Emergency.

SOURCE RNZ

Latest News

Police say person who fired gun at officers still at large

Published

3 days ago

November 12, 2026

News Staff

Police say a person who fired a gun at officers in Napier is still at large.

Eastern District Commander Superintendent Joel Lamb said Police tried to stop a vehicle in the Pirimai Area at about 10pm on Tuesday.

He said someone in the back seat pointed what was presumed to be a firearm at officers pursuing the vehicle.

“Staff have then heard two distinct gunshots as the firearm was discharged.

“Fortunately, neither of our officers were injured, and the patrol vehicle did not sustain any damage.”

He said hours later, the vehicle was seen travelling north on the Waikato Expressway towards Auckland.

Police seized the vehicle at an address in Manurewa, but they had not found the alleged offender.

Lamb said people who lived at the Manurewa address were engaging with Police.

He said Eastern District and Counties Manukau Police were making enquiries.

“Presenting a firearm at a Police officer is a serious escalation that puts our staff and the wider community at risk. This behaviour is entirely unacceptable.

“We are taking this incident extremely seriously and will be pursuing all lines of enquiry to locate the offender and hold them accountable.”

Police asked anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Police on 105 or online using the reference number 261111/3764.

Information could also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

rnz

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New Zealand sides named for RLWC finals

Published

4 days ago

November 11, 2026

News Staff

The players tasked with ending Australia’s Rugby League World Cup dominance have been named.

The Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns have announced their squads for this Sunday’s World Cup finals in Brisbane.

Both sides are chasing their first titles since 2008, and both are looking to end their opponents run of three crowns in a row.

“Our Kiwi Ferns have been so dominant in years gone by, and we want to bring dominance back to this jersey, so I think it will be a case of who wants it more,” said co-captain Georgia Hale of the impending clash.

The Kiwis get a major boost for the final as they welcome back Ronaldo Mulitalo after he served a one-match ban for a high tackle against Fiji Bati.

Mulitalo replaces Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who moves to the six-man bench, which again includes utility Te Maire Martin, middle forwards Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark and Xavier Willison plus fullback Keano Kini.

Loose forward Joseph Tapine will make his 30th Test appearance in a familiar pack again, including second-rowers Isaiah Papali’i and Briton Nikora, and props James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota.

Winger Jamayne Isaako is on the cusp of claiming the New Zealand record for most Test points.

His five goals against Tonga lifted his career points tally to 225 – level with Shaun Johnson – while centre Casey McLean goes into the final with 16 tries in just eight Tests.

Fisher-Harris will again captain the team.

Fullback Ponga said the goal of the group was clear.

“We have high expectations around what we want to achieve, and obviously winning a world Cup is one of them.”

Meanwhile, Ricky Henry has selected a settled side to take on the Jillaroos, led by their lethal centre combination of Stacey Waaka and Mele Hufanga.

Veteran Apii Nicholls takes the number one jersey, Leianne Tufuga and Mackenzie Wiki on the wings.

Henry has stuck with his halves pairing of Chantay Kiria-Ratu and Raecene McGregor with Alexis Tauaneai, Georgia Hale and Otesa Pule up front.

Rounding out the starting pack is Shaniece Monschau, Kaiyah Atai, and Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa.

“We have been building well throughout the tournament; we understand the Jillaroos side, and will give it our all to make New Zealand proud this weekend,” said Henry.

RLWC Finals:

Kiwi Ferns vs Jillaroos- 6.10pm

Kiwis vs Kangaroos – 9.35pm

Sunday November 15

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Live blog updates on RNZ

Kiwi Ferns:

1. Apii Nicholls 2. Leianne Tufuga 3. Mele Hufanga 4. Stacey Waaka 5. Mackenzie Wiki 6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu 7. Raecene McGregor 8. Alexis Tauaneai 9. Georgia Hale 10. Otesa Pule 11. Shaniece Monschau 12. Kaiyah Atai 13. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa.

Interchange: 14. Ashleigh Quinlan 15. Annessa Biddle 16. Shannon Mato 17. Ivana Lauitiiti.

Reserves: 18. Brooke Anderson 19. Zahara Temara 20. Brianna Clark 21. Abigail Roache 22. Tenika Willison.

Kiwis:

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Casey McLean, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. James Fisher-Harris (c), 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Moses Leota, 11. Isaiah Papali’i, 12. Briton Nikora, 13. Joseph Tapine (v/c).

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Naufahu Whyte, 16. Erin Clark, 17. Xavier Willison.

Reserves: 18. Keano Kini, 19. Phoenix Crossland, 20. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 21. Scott Sorensen, 22. Leo Thompson.

rnz

Latest News

Parliamentary Service working on extra chairs and offices for increased number of MPs

Published

4 days ago

November 11, 2026

News Staff

The chief executive of the Parliamentary Service is confident there will be enough room to accommodate the increased number of MPs and their staff coming into Parliament.

On current numbers, up to 131 MPs could be sitting in the Chamber following the election, brought on by a record overhang result.

Clerk of the House of Representatives Dr David Wilson told the Spinoff that currently the debating chamber had enough chairs to seat 124 MPs – including the Speaker of the House – and work was being done to accommodate more by altering the seating arrangement.

In a statement, Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero said planning for a larger Parliament had been going for “some time”.

“Now that the election results have confirmed an increase to the number of members we are looking at several options.

“We are confident we will be able to accommodate all members within the Chamber.”

Chief Executive of the Parliamentary Service Rafael Gonzalez-Montero appears before select committee. — Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero.

VNP / Phil Smith

Gonzalez-Montero said office accommodation for members and their staff would be “stretched” for a short time, but the new Members’ Building was only a few months away from “practical completion”.

That building – located behind Parliament – was due to be ready to occupy in April next year and had capacity to accommodate around 30 backbench MPs.

“All members should be in fit-for-purpose accommodation from that point,” Gonzalez-Montero said.

Following the 2023 election, 123 MPs sat in the Chamber – a record number at the time. That decreased to 122 following the resignation of National MP Judith Collins.

Collins held the seat of Papakura and stepped down in May and Parliament voted against holding a by-election because it was too close to the election.

The election result also meant high-ranking National Party MPs like Chris Bishop, Paul Goldsmith, Nicola Willis and Gerry Brownlee – Speaker of the House and an MP for 30 years – would likely not make it back into Parliament.

Only resigning or retiring MPs were permitted to give a valedictory speech meaning none of them would get the chance to give a valedictory statement.

Asked if their would be special allowances for valedictories, Wilson said in a statement that normally only MPs were allowed to speak in the House but the House could suspend its own rules or temporarily alter them.

“It could do so to allow former members to address the House.”

Wilson said no such arrangements could be made until the next Parliament opened and members sworn in.

rnz