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

[HelpNZ]

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)?

I had seen this and actually mentioned it in a post yesterday morning.

There is a lot that goes on around the world that we never hear about. But we are a lot less insular in the UK and Europe generally than some places. The US news for example tended to be a rolling loop of about 3 stories (generally all US focussed and not even the main topics that matter to them as a nation) on a 10-15 minute cycle and almost nothing about any international news at all!

This

This thread is just fighting over nothing. There's literally nothing real here to fight about.

To be fair OP, I don't think the UK is doing a huge amount for Turkey/Syria either and they are much closer! Honestly though, NZ is the far side of the world and I'd expect countries in the Asia/Pacific region to be the first to provide support - Australia and Japan for instance - wealthy nations in the same geographical area much more able to mobilise quickly.

Or maybe NZ has said it can cope? It's a wealthy country with plenty of resources, not remotely the same as war-torn Syria or Turkey, which although it's classified as 'developed', is pretty poor in that region that borders Syria.

I’m also from NZ, living in the UK. I’ve seen some coverage in the media here, about as much as I would expect TBH. Natural disasters mainly attract media coverage when there is significant loss of life, as there has sadly been in Turkey/Syria. The damage in NZ is mainly to infrastructure. Like it or not, flood clean up activities are not very newsworthy, that doesn’t mean nobody cares. Also, with climate change extreme weather is becoming pretty common.

This thread has just made me feel worse. I think there are some very sad people out there (I've noted the kinder comments!). Most people have jumped to the conclusion that I'm suggesting the UK 'foots the bill'. Actually what's making me feel a bit disappointed is that there is a very long history between our two countries. My family fought in the world wars (both) under the 'empire'. I just get the sense that those good old days of the UK seeing NZ as a country that is important to them have gone. This is not about money to me but just a sense of caring and community despite the distance.

well, OP, you have certainly made me more aware that there are links between UK and NZ, which I wasnt really aware of before

and made me want to look up a few things about NZ - it looks like a beautiful place

xx

@FiveShelties visiting. They are backpacking, they are emailing hostels they have booked to see where's safe to visit to weigh up wether to go.

I still don't understand what you want op. The prime minister of the UK contacted NZ and offered them assistance. Nz don't need UK assistance. I've seen coverage of the flooding since January on the guardian and bbc websites? Your comments seem to be around the fact that nz used to be a colony of UK and that you expect some reflection of that in the UK response but can't articulate what that should be?

How much time do you think UK media should spend on NZ news? How much coverage do you think NZn ews gives to other countries in the commonwealth which are on the otherside of the world?

Also if you think UK government ever saw NZ as an important country you must be 1) white and 2) naive. Allowing NZ to send two whole generations of their young men (including devestating percentage of our male Maori population) to die on the other side world doesn't mean UK thought NZ was important just that they were happy to take cannon fodder from anywhere. Why don't you read up in the Windrush generation. Good indication of the thanks you get for sending your men to fight in another country's wars and then send your women to help them rebuild in the aftermath.

A really good example was the immediate response in my workplace uk raise money for Turkey/Syria or local schools rallying to provide blankets, tents and clothing. All absolutely needed and I've donated myself. To me it's less about the need for money in the case of NZ but like I say a sense of community and rallying to support to show that people care and are thinking of their commonwealth cousin. Messages of support etc Don't worry I think some people just don't get it. People in the UK are different to kiwis.

Not 'white' actually.

@CoatesCat I'm with you. Don't get me started on the real history between the British and NZ (Māori). Even more reason for the UK to show that they perhaps give a shit. I think I'm just an optimist in life and expect more from people and then feel let down when people are a bit shit or don't care enough. I've become a massive republican in recent years.

I think you're overreacting. The UK has all sorts of ties to NZ. They're in the commonwealth, they have a free trade agreement, they both part of the five eyes, etc. Both NZ and Australia are strategically important partners because of their geographical situation.

It's true that the British people are more aware of Australia but that's more to do with holidays than anything else, and relatives moving over there.

I saw reports of the cyclone and photos yesterday. In my mind it's the equivalence of floods here. Loss of property, massive disruption and sadly a small loss of life. I wouldn't think it would make more than a small mention across the world because its minor in comparison to what other countries go through, although, obviously, not for the people who are suffering.

The UK government offered assistance yesterday within hours of the cyclone hitting. I'm sure UK citizens do feel sympathy. But, just as there's nothing NZers can do about our floods, I'm not sure what you'd expect Brits to do about the cyclone.

The weather phenomenon that occur around the world, heatwaves, fires, floods, snowfall, mudslides, avalanches, are reported here pretty regularly, regardless of ties with a country. People feel sympathetic and regretful over loss of life and property. I don't know what else you expect of them.

Some comments here are really not very kind. I wasnt born in NZ nor Uk, but I became a NZ citizen and spent a long time living there. I followed the news about floods and storms but im not surprised when I talked to friends here they had no idea. Maybe a lot of pakehas still feel the connection to the UK, but the fact is NZ is just too small and too far from anywhere. I do remember seeing world maps with NZ even missing. And I think kiwis should have changed the flag when they had the chance.

It sounds to me like you're using the cyclone to vent because of other issues you have with the British.

@MarshaMelrose to an extent. The thread was started about the cyclone but of course I'm thinking deeper on the topic.

You're sounding rather chippy, tbh.

The latest article. 10,000 people displaced and need rehousing. That's a big number for a country with only 5 mill people.

Not foot the bill, but NZ is part of the Commonwealth headed by King Charles III, so there's a supposed commonality there.

I'm actually starting to think that many people in the UK are unaware that the British monarchy oversee New Zealand. This was evident to me when the queen died. People didn't seem to realise that she was our queen also. If you visit New Zealand she is represented everywhere. Incidentally Anne has just landed in NZ for a tour but it's not proceeding as planned. Instead she has visited the parliament disaster bunker room

King Charles and Rikki Sunak have both been in touch, expressing concern and offering assistance.
What exactly is that you want?

Totally agree.

I also think some people have an inflated view of how NZers see the UK. There are people living here from many, many, different parts of the world - even in my rural town. We are now a very diverse country and really the UK is not very important to many of us. We are not just the UK with more sunshine, which I think is how some Brits see us. We look forward, not back.

I was merely pointing out to a previous poster who said if there was a flood in the UK we wouldn't hear about that we actually do.

What is your problem?