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)?

For context, the population of Yorkshire is greater than that of NZ. Best wishes to everyone affected.

and really the UK is not very important to many of us

That’s fine. But the complaint seems to be how can you not talk about us more.

Seems odd to be annoyed U.K. isn’t paying enough attention at same time as you’re not relevant to us.

Its fine if not tbh, I also don’t think it’s just U.K. in the sunshine.

Thanks for starting this thread, my elderly father & stepfather, both with multiple health issues, live in Napier & I have been sick with worry over the last few days, unable to contact them until late last night due to the fact that they've had no power for 3 days. DDad managed to partially charge his phone at a neighbour's who has an emergency generator but the whole area may not have power restored for 2 weeks & they're running out of food - such a worry. I have contacted an emergency civil defence Facebook group who have said they will visit them with food. Bizarre that there is no international news coverage of this. The flooding has been so widespread. Sending love & strength to anyone affected.

Ok so I will throw in there that New Zealand should become a republic (like yesterday). This thread just makes me feel stronger about that. The UK and NZ 'relationship' is totally irrelevant in todays world.

I'm still shocked that we stick with our Union Jack flag. I'm all for the lazerbeam kiwi

I am so sorry to hear this. Despite the course of the thread going off course, one of the reasons I started the thread was also to raise some more awareness xx

I was a bit disappointed when NZ voted to keep the current flag and not change it. You say there's Queen stuff all over NZ, I find it odd that you keep the RF as heads of state, they must be so irelevant to you!

Thanks @HelpNZ I'm in the UK so feel pretty impotent. It's the lack of visibility of the catastrophe that's surprising.

It is odd isn't it. I think times will change. Certainly I recall as a child in NZ the royal family being very important to us. I have memories of seeing the Queen at an airport when I was 5. She was the most important woman in the world in my mind as a child. That's how many of us were raised.

So the problem is that the UK simultaneously isn't paying enough attention to what is unfolding NZ but also has an inflated sense of what it's attention means to many NZlanders. OK then

I have not once said the UK should be helping NZ, or talking about us more, and was pointing out the reasons why. If we need help we will get it from countries in our own region, but I do acknowledge that it was good of the government to offer assistance.

Just wrote a long post & the MN monster ate it!!

short version...

I'm a dual citizen, born in England. Both are 'home'.

I am utterly disgusted by, and very very sad at some of these posts.

NZ has a small population, 3500 missing is huge, 10,000 now homeless is unthinkable. There are whole huge areas still physically cut off & without power. The numbers missing, homeless & dead are just going to rocket up.

My best friend lives pretty much opposite those landslides in Muriwai. My Mum lives in an area that's had some flooding.

These are all 'real people'.

They will clean up, rebuild & carry on, because that's what Kiwis do. But it's going to be a long slog trying to rebuild bridges & roads etc. many of them will be the ONLY road/bridge into that area.

Some acknowledgement & compassion wouldn't go amiss!!

NZ should definitely become a republic. I was disappointed that people prefered to keep a flag that is so similar to Australias. I liked the ones with Maori patterns and my DH said he really liked the flag with a kiwi and lightsaber.😂

@legofrostqueen im glad you've had contact & hope they get the food parcels soon.

Once again, I never said the UK should be paying attention, that was the OP. I couldn't care less whether you pay attention or not.

Thank you. At least someone else agrees and I'm not losing my marbles here.

Your marbles are fine!!

The death toll is sadly rising

www.stuff.co.nz/national/weather-news/131242927/cyclone-gabrielle-what-we-know-about-the-seven-people-whove-died?cid=app-iPhone

I think youll find most people in the UK are republican, OP

Voting to keep the flag is exactly why we, in the UK, got Brexit.

Older, 'working class', white Brits who were born into an empire, and lament its passing.

@Nimbostratus100 No, the majority of Brits aren't republicans.

You have an older, bigger, well represented group (helloooo, Tory!) who are Monarchists; a smaller middle group who were brought up by Monarchist parents who are 'undecided'; a younger group who, if they bothered to vote, might be more republican, but they don't bother to vote; and a large, Commonwealth population who are pro-Monarchy.

Charles 3 ain't going anywhere.

Up until what date do you think people were born thinking they were part of an empire?

really?

My understanding is that all recent opinion polls have shown monarchists to be a minority

But we are stuck with this stupid abusive system

mostly because of the power of the monarch, which is wide reaching, but not used by the monarch.

Used by the prime minister.

Therefore no prime minister is going to take action to divest themselves of all their personal power

That is so sad. Strength to all those in NZ who are suffering deeply.💞

This one puts overall support at 62%

Head of state 22% and rest don’t know

www.statista.com/statistics/863893/support-for-the-monarchy-in-britain-by-age/

weird