In the days after the winds hit, I travelled all over the Southland electorate, from the far side of the Clutha district, Papatowai, the Catlins, through Gore, Waikaka, Waikaia, Invercargill and Te Anau.
I met Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell off the RNZ Orion in Invercargill bringing generators and personnel and he spent a day in Southland before heading to Clutha.
I stayed in regular contact with Mr Mitchell and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith and they were quick to provide whatever support they could.
There will be lessons learned from this storm, particularly in how critical and interdependent our electricity network is with communications and water networks, as well as our food systems — including refrigeration of food and production of milk.
The Gore District is full of resilient, hard-working people who step up to the plate when times are tough. Thank you to everyone who has supported your community. From checking on neighbours, helping at community centres, sharing generators to get milking done, or working big hours to fix damaged power lines, and much more.
Thank you to the PowerNet teams for the work you’ve been doing to get the region powered up again. Your determination and hard work have been immense.
While the state of emergency has been a major focus for all of us recently, there have also been significant developments on the political front.
Firstly, congratulations to Gore District Mayor Ben Bell on your re-election. To Environment Southland Chairman Jeremy McPhail, and all returning and newly elected district and regional councillors serving the Gore District and Southland region, I look forward to working with you in the years ahead.
