Published: Just now
The death toll is rising after Cyclone Gabrielle hit New Zealand’s North Island earlier this week. A total of eight people have so far been confirmed dead.
But around 3,000 people have still not been able to be reached as communication options are still limited.
Around 10,000 people have been forced to leave their homes and many are still without electricity and drinking water. According to local authorities, communities that have been cut off can be counted in the hundreds.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins was in the hard-hit Hawke’s Bay region on Friday.
– There are some people who are in a very, very fragile state, says Hipkins.
– I just ask people to continue. We will get through this. We will come out the other side. But it is exceptionally challenging circumstance at the moment.
Hipkins took office less than a month ago after his predecessor Jacinda Ardern surprisingly announced her resignation.
Now Hipkins is facing questions about how quickly his government has acted after the cyclone’s advance.
– The longer the power is out, the longer communications do not work, the more the pressure increases. I feel it, says Hipkins.
– All I can say to people is: everyone is working as fast as they can to try to get things working again.
Hipkins also warns New Zealanders of several days of crisis management before the clean-up can begin in earnest, and of “the likelihood that there will be more deaths”.