Defence Force aids Auckland in flood emergency
The New Zealand Defence Force is assisting civil defence authorities and emergency services in response to catastrophic flooding across Auckland City.
28 January, 2023
Click here for the latest live updates on the support to Auckland and the upper North Island following severe weather.
UPDATE: 28 January at 3:12pm
The New Zealand Defence Force is assisting civil defence authorities and emergency services in response to catastrophic flooding across Auckland City during Friday and today.
Earlier today an RNZAF C-130 Hercules transported Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty, along with National Emergency Management Agency staff, to RNZAF Base Auckland (Whenuapai). Mr Hipkins was then taken up in a SH-2G(I) Seasprite helicopter to survey the damage from the air.
On Friday at 9.30pm Auckland mayor Wayne Brown declared a State of Emergency following a record amount of rain to fall in 24 hours, according to MetService.
During Friday, six Defence Force firefighters from RNZAF Base Auckland were out with Fire and Emergency New Zealand assisting in evacuations, utilising a domestic fire appliance, a Unimog truck and a four-wheel-drive vehicle. A liaison officer from the base went to West Harbour Fire Station to assist with coordinating the Defence Force response.
Defence Force liaison officers have been sent to civil defence centres in Auckland to help coordinate requests for assistance, while personnel at both RNZAF Base Auckland and Devonport Naval Base are ready to support civil defence efforts.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty met with other agencies concerning the Civil Emergency unfolding in Auckland.
Prime Minister departs from RNZAF Base Whenuapai on board a SH-2G(I) Seasprite to view the damage from the air.