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)?

Why is there so little coverage of the cyclone in Australian news? I do find that quite strange.

…to 7 people, very sad of course but Turkey’s death toll is over 20,000! Plus it is nowhere near as wealthy as NZ. I’m getting a bit tired of everyone seeing the U.K. as a bottomless pit who are honour bound to weigh in whenever something bad happens in another country.

It seems to be only the OP who has mentioned international support, and that doesn't necessarily mean financial, so where are you getting this idea that NZ is sitting back waiting for funds from the UK?

Get onto social media and hit Albo up for more assistance and more publicity.
I agree, nothing on the news here about your quake. I heard about it on the bbc

I don’t think many of us realise it was as bad as it is.

It seems to be only the OP who has mentioned international support, and that doesn't necessarily mean financial, so where are you getting this idea that NZ is sitting back waiting for funds from the UK

To be fair the poster was probably responding to OP who seemed insistent the UK government ‘do something’. If not financial, then what? That question was never answered.

As I said upthread, you can’t just barge in and force help on a country and NZ only started asking for some logistical support after the OP started the thread. Money will not solve this problem as NZ has plenty and an ability to borrow lots if needed via standard pathways.

The quake wasn't the issue, it was a cyclone.

I do agree that many on MN don't realise how bad it is. I've seen footage of flooding in the UK over the years, it was nothing like this.

I've heard quite a lot about it. I really hope things improve soon. It's devastating.
There is selective interest in these sorts of climate change related weather disasters. Like the awful floods in Nigeria and Pakistan.

To be fair the poster was probably responding to OP who seemed insistent the UK government ‘do something’. If not financial, then what? That question was never answered.

I have answered this question further down. I've said its less about financial support and more about the lack of community around this. Support does not always mean financial. Some examples are more awareness of the situation (media), more moral support for people in the UK with NZ friends and family in affected areas. As you will have seen examples on this thread a person has not known for a few days of her father was ok or not (perhaps this thread has made them feel less alone). Just more general interest in the event. Could flooded farming communities here offer advice and support to the NZ rural community? Like I say the two countries have close ties (or once did as that has faded, albeit princess Anne is currently on a tour of NZ - I like her, as shes a hard worker, despite my views ). I'm a positive person who cares about people. Perhaps my view of life is just different to most and not centred on money.

Sorry I didn’t mean NZ specifically, more a general feeling around the world that we’re the first country that should step in when something happens. Obviously with disasters in much poorer countries we should, but NZ isn’t one of them; although it’s absolutely awful and I hope they’re doing as well as they can be.

My parents live in NZ, although I am British. There are many Brits living there with relatives in the UK & for that reason alone I'd expect more media & personal interest. But even without a direct interest, I'm surprised at the lack of compassion on this thread for people who have lost everything due to a freak weather event, so soon after the economic blow from covid. It's not a binary choice to feel sorry for NZ or Turkey & Syria...

The latest news is that 200 electronic tags on criminals are not working. There's stuff you wouldn't even have thought of!

kia Kaha Aoetearoa

I spent a month in NZ many years ago, and loved it. Amazing place and lovely people. If I had to live anywhere other than UK, I always said I'd like to live in NZ. I feel desperately sorry for all the people affected by the current crisis.

But....my view of NZ in general has been tainted by the relentless Covid business. I got sick of hearing how bloody amazing everything was in NZ, how Jacinda Ardern was the second coming. How crap and stupid Brits were and how NZ had it all right. They shut their borders and sat back smugly watching other countries struggling, patting themselves on the back for being so brilliant.

I know that was just an impression, and individuals may not have been smug, but that's how it came across.

So now I hear the news of this tragedy and think how awful and sad it is, but I don't dwell on it. And I certainly wouldn't contribute financially to a relief effort for a country which has proclaimed itself to be so superior.

@Sarahcoggles

Please do not let the so called 'brilliant' handling of Covid by NZ spoil your views of NZ. Many people, including myself, were horrified at the way NZ closed its borders to its own citizens. It was impossible to travel to see family who were sick, attend funerals etc in other countries because we just could not get home.

We definitely were not smug not did we feel superior, and many of us were astonished how the UK press reported Jacinda Ardern and her policies.

I was unable to enter NZ for I think around 2 years (try to forget). I was terrified something would happen to my family and that I wouldn't be allowed in. People weren't even allowed in to be with dying relatives. It was cruel and certainly a debatable approach. That said I felt it was the right thing to do as many lives were saved as a result. I'm not sure New Zealand was in a position to save the world from covid so closing boarders made sense given the circumstances.

It's a sad day for the UK when we resent our friends for doing something different and being more successful than us wrt the pandemic.

So now I hear the news of this tragedy and think how awful and sad it is, but I don't dwell on it. And I certainly wouldn't contribute financially to a relief effort for a country which has proclaimed itself to be so superior.

Wow, just wow!!!! I wasn't aware anyone had asked you to contribute financially, but let's hope you never need assistance of any kind least you find people not wanting to provide it to someone so lacking in empathy for others (not to mention downright unpleasant!).

I’m sorry to hear this but I think it’s just so far away and maybe I’m wrong but I’ve always thought of NZ as quite wealthy, I wouldn’t donate to an appeal for the current situation, or expect us to send aid.

NZ hasn't asked the UK for any assistance, the only international help requested has been a team from Australia. Posters keep saying they don't wan to/shouldn't have to help - you're not being asked to!

We are on the other side of the world. Maybe other (closer) countries are helping and maybe it's bigger in the news there?

Yep, we are onto page 8 of this thread and people are still banging on about it!?

I agree OP. It’s like when the Christchurch earthquake happened, but the Japanese tsunami was similar timing and obvs far higher death toll. So Chch was forgotten. And now this at the same time as the tragedy in Türkiye and Syria. It’s like we can only cope with one event at a time. No one is talking about Ohio and the environmental disaster there either… but just because mainstream media is crap, doesn’t mean that those of us who love NZ aren’t thinking of those affected. Tbh I was waiting to see a link to a fundraiser come up on my Facebook. But you’ve prompted me to actively seek one out. Sending much love to beautiful NZ.

Yup. People think money money money! Missing the point totally.

Thank you. I've been tempted to add the Red Cross link to this thread but feel like I will be crucified if I do as I've highlighted that my primary disappointment is not money related.

Here's the link!

www.redcross.org.nz/support-us/our-current-appeals/new-zealand-disaster-fund