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Original poster

New Zealand is in a National State of emergency and it feels like the world doesn't care

259 replies

HelpNZ · 15/02/2023 23:12

I live in the UK but originate from NZ. They have just been hit by an incredibly destructive cyclone. Thousands are homeless. 5 people have died but there will be more. I appreciate this is not on the scale of the Earthquake in Turkey/Syria. I guess I'm wondering where the international support for NZ is? I've heard nothing and it's not even hitting the news in the UK (or just minor mention buried somewhere)?

OP posts:
Nimbostratus100 · 15/02/2023 23:14

does NZ need support from UK?

CC4712 · 15/02/2023 23:16

I would have thought emergency rescue/recovery teams from Aus are already there or on the way? Are they not?

HerRoyalNotness · 15/02/2023 23:17

Yes I’d say they need support as the damage is catastrophic in some areas. Roads and bridges wiped out, power outages, towns cut off. It’ll take years to recover. Thankfully all my friends and family there are ok.

Tireddoggymum · 15/02/2023 23:17

My friend lives a few hours away from Auckland and chatting to her today. She mentioned the floods but didn’t seem too concerned 🤷‍♀️

Tireddoggymum · 15/02/2023 23:18

It was this morning in Uk so maybe it has changed..shall message her.X

Original poster
HelpNZ · 15/02/2023 23:19

The country is still trying to work out the scale of what has happened. Large towns are cut off. Reports of rescue teams seeing body's floating knowing they've not yet discovered everything. I'm not sure what would be needed from the UK but the news stories the past week that have overshot this have been an eye opener.

OP posts:
Original poster
HelpNZ · 15/02/2023 23:20

Tireddoggymum · 15/02/2023 23:17

My friend lives a few hours away from Auckland and chatting to her today. She mentioned the floods but didn’t seem too concerned 🤷‍♀️

Auckland seems ok. Places like Napier have been devastated.

OP posts:
Nimbostratus100 · 15/02/2023 23:21

Maybe it timing, magnitude 6 in NZ, magnitude 8 in Syria,

8 is 100 times greater than 6

so maybe another time, the 6 would have been more newsworthy?

I am sorry OP, I hope everyone is safe

Original poster
HelpNZ · 15/02/2023 23:21

CC4712 · 15/02/2023 23:16

I would have thought emergency rescue/recovery teams from Aus are already there or on the way? Are they not?

I've not read any articles mentioning any international aid. Maybe NZ has said no?

OP posts:
Original poster
HelpNZ · 15/02/2023 23:22

HerRoyalNotness · 15/02/2023 23:17

Yes I’d say they need support as the damage is catastrophic in some areas. Roads and bridges wiped out, power outages, towns cut off. It’ll take years to recover. Thankfully all my friends and family there are ok.

I'm glad. I heard from the last of my friends just this morning - phew

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WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps · 15/02/2023 23:23

I am very sorry this is happening to them. But what on earth is anyone supposed to do? We - the UK - are 12,000 miles away. Confused

InWalksBarberalla · 15/02/2023 23:24

International aid organisations are going to focus on Turkey and Syria - at least 40,000 dead and an estimated 5.3 million people homeless in Syria alone. Not saying that what is happening in NZ isn't devastating but as a relatively wealthy country I'd expect them, with near neighbours like Australia to run the rescue and recovery.

Crunched · 15/02/2023 23:24

I do agree that the awareness of this in the UK is very low. I was in NZ a few weeks ago. I hope the situation does not deteriorate further.

Original poster
HelpNZ · 15/02/2023 23:25

WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps · 15/02/2023 23:23

I am very sorry this is happening to them. But what on earth is anyone supposed to do? We - the UK - are 12,000 miles away. Confused

There's plenty that could be done. I think a part of me feels let down that the queens face is on our bank notes but frankly there just no real connection left is there.

OP posts:
Melbourne12 · 15/02/2023 23:25

Kia ora!

The news definitely has been buried. I hope the people there have any aid they require. NZ is a beautiful part of the world.

Nimbostratus100 · 15/02/2023 23:32

HelpNZ · 15/02/2023 23:25

There's plenty that could be done. I think a part of me feels let down that the queens face is on our bank notes but frankly there just no real connection left is there.

Show quote history

what would you like us to do? Maybe we can do it?

Original poster
HelpNZ · 15/02/2023 23:39

I'm not an expert here but I'd assume some UK govt support (I'm chuckling away thinking there's no money left!). I've seen work fundraisers for Turkey/Syria and just some general rallying. I think I'm just wanting to gather views on the lack of coverage more than anything. It's left me feeling a bit out of sorts I guess. Like some others have agreed, it's been buried for some reason?

OP posts:
wasacasa · 15/02/2023 23:43

It has been on the BBC news front page. @InWalksBarberalla has made a very sensible comment

OP posts:
Forever42 · 15/02/2023 23:46

I did see it on the BBC site but only after I'd seen a thread on it here so I went looking. I have a friend in Napier although we just keep on touch on social media now. Luckily she seems ok but surrounding area has been badly hit. I was surprised there hasn't been more coverage.

HedwigIsMyDemon · 15/02/2023 23:51

I’ve seen no news about it til I saw your thread - very odd!

LoveMyPiano · 15/02/2023 23:54

I have read about it, and it really is awful.
The devastation in Turkey and Syria doesn't make these events any less awful for the people and the country. I hope they do get some help from Australia - I don't know how much use England would be to help.
I visited Auckland and Brown's Bay (even Mount Rangitoto in the Harbour) a good few years ago, and loved it and have fond memories (of the place, and some of the people I met - 💕 to the Marshall Family....) - I would love to go back.
Thoughts to everyone affected.
Our poor planet.

Pirateships · 15/02/2023 23:55

Nimbostratus100 · 15/02/2023 23:21

Maybe it timing, magnitude 6 in NZ, magnitude 8 in Syria,

8 is 100 times greater than 6

so maybe another time, the 6 would have been more newsworthy?

I am sorry OP, I hope everyone is safe

I mean it's not like there's a limit on how many devastating natural disasters the news can cover, they post an astronomical amount of crap about 'celebs' and goodness what else so im sure they could take the time. Not everything in the news requires direct actions, but it does seem odd it hasn't been covered much.

Babyroobs · 15/02/2023 23:58

I have been following this as we used to live in west Auckland for almost 5 years. The damage looks catastrophic but agree op there has been very little in the Uk press. I have been looking at the NZ herald online.

InWalksBarberalla · 15/02/2023 23:59

Australia is supporting as per below www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8087717/new-zealand-requests-disaster-aid-from-australia/

Australian bureaucrats revealed New Zealand formally requested aid on Thursday morning.

The deputy head of the foreign affairs department's Pacific office said emergency management teams from both nations had been working hand in glove over the last few days to scope possible support.