NZDF support to Nelson/Tasman region
Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) personnel from RNZAF Base Woodbourne have been supporting the Nelson Tasman Emergency Management Centre over the past four days.
15 July, 2025
They provided Local Emergency Response Group (LERG) with 27 personnel and two Liaison Officers for the emergency response to the Nelson/Tasman state of emergency.
Liaison Officer Flight Lieutenant Wayne Crosswell said the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has been fast-moving, providing 24-hour operations for a considerable amount of time.
“It has been a very positive experience working with such dedicated people who are working here while their homes, farms and businesses have been affected. The Controllers within the EOC have expressed their thanks for the New Zealand Defence Force contribution,” he said.
Two Unimogs and light 4WD vehicles worked closely with the Operations and Response Team to access cut off rural residences whilst at the same time carrying out checks on road stability and conditions. Other tasks included checking on people’s basic survival needs (food, water, power, medical and medication requirements, and general physical condition).
“The team were able to leverage the geospatial tools utilised within the EOC. With the ability to task-track through geo-tagging on the ground, we were supported by the Response Team and our personnel to remain flexible in understanding how to use the systems present.
“In detail this allowed us with the Response Team the ability to navigate road washouts, slips, downed power line or obstruction as we supported the overall Intelligence picture within the EOC via the Intelligence Common Operating Picture (COP),” Flight Lieutenant Crosswell said.
A Defence Force Unimog truck negotiates the silt and damaged roads as personnel carry out welfare checks in the district.
The LERG, with an attached 2nd/4th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment Reserve Force driver, conducted more than 800 welfare checks on residents in the area.
LERG Commander Flight Lieutenant Yvonne Reid said the team worked closely with Civil Defence and our partner agencies.
“The area has been hit hard in recent weeks so the relatively small amount of rain causing a disproportionate amount of damage to the already saturated land. We had a quick turnaround from arriving at work for a normal day before grabbing kit and departing Base Woodbourne two hours later.
“Once again it was shown that our people are our greatest asset. The team demonstrated they are resilient and ready to respond when called upon by the NZ Government to serve the people of New Zealand,” she said.