Key Takeaways:
- The Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, visited the flood-affected community in Mokau, Northland, in an Air Force helicopter.
- The visit was an opportunity for Luxon to meet with locals, understand the challenges they are facing, and thank them for their welfare support.
- Many residents have lost their homes, water tanks, water pumps, and septic systems, and are unable to afford insurance.
- The community is in need of more housing and Unimogs to help them recover from the flooding.
- The visit was seen as a positive step by the community, with many expressing gratitude for the Prime Minister’s willingness to listen and understand their situation.
Introduction to the Visit
The community in Mokau, Northland, received a much-needed boost on Friday with a visit from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Despite the devastating news of the flooding, the community was heartened by Luxon’s brief visit, which was made possible by an Air Force helicopter. Luxon was accompanied by Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell and Northland MP Grant McCallum, and together they visited Mokau Marae, where locals shared their harrowing stories of escaping the sudden flooding on Sunday morning.
Meeting with Locals
During the visit, McCallum emphasized the importance of meeting with locals and understanding the challenges they are facing. He noted that there is no substitute for seeing the situation firsthand and getting a sense of the isolation that many residents are experiencing. The visit included a walk through the cabins of Pattinson Wetere, who had to save his family from near-certain drowning on Sunday. Wetere’s story is just one of many, and the visit provided an opportunity for Luxon and his team to hear the personal accounts of those affected by the flooding.
Assessing the Damage
The visit also highlighted the extent of the damage caused by the flooding. Many people, like Wetere, have lost their cabins, water tanks, water pumps, and septic systems, and are unable to afford insurance. The lack of insurance coverage has left many residents facing significant financial burdens, making it difficult for them to recover from the disaster. Ngātiwai Trust Board chief executive Simon Mitchell emphasized the need for more housing and Unimogs to help the community recover. The Unimogs would provide a vital means of transportation, allowing residents to access essential services and supplies.
Community Response
The community’s response to the visit was overwhelmingly positive, with many residents expressing gratitude for Luxon’s willingness to listen and understand their situation. Max Thompson, a Mokau local whose house now sits on the precipice of a slip, was thankful for the visit, saying, "Thank you for coming – for feeling, smelling and tasting our reality." Thompson’s words underscore the importance of empathy and understanding in responding to disasters like this. By taking the time to visit the community and hear their stories, Luxon and his team demonstrated a commitment to supporting those affected by the flooding.
Conclusion
The visit by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to the flood-affected community in Mokau, Northland, was a significant step in responding to the disaster. By meeting with locals, assessing the damage, and listening to their stories, Luxon and his team demonstrated a commitment to supporting those affected by the flooding. While there is still much work to be done, the visit provided a much-needed boost to the community, and highlighted the importance of empathy and understanding in responding to disasters like this. As the community continues to recover and rebuild, it is essential that the government remains committed to providing the support and resources needed to help them recover.
