When Cyclone Gabrielle ravaged New Zealand, the nation turned to its Defence Force for aid and support. However, what followed was a mixed bag of efforts, revealing both strengths and significant challenges.
1News has obtained exclusive details from internal documents within the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), shedding light on what the military perceives as "fixes" in its response to the disaster.
Commander Joint Forces, Jim Gilmour, emphasised the magnitude of the event, stating that virtually all available resources were utilised in the response efforts.
Supplies, including crucial water tanks, were swiftly dispatched to affected areas like Gisborne.
But it's now been revealed the tanks weren’t able to be used for drinking because the NZDF is "not a 'certified' drinking water supplier", according to the documents, posing a serious concern for communities in need.
Gilmour acknowledged the issue, citing the need to address certification regulations to ensure future aid efforts are more effective.
“We are working with the water regulation authority to develop a way in which we can test and deliver water, that's a step that we need to now implement,” he said.
More reports indicate that some personnel were unable to participate fully in relief efforts due to health and safety concerns, including insufficient personal protective equipment (PPE).
This left some communities feeling neglected and unsupported during crucial clean-up operations.
Communication and training gaps within the NZDF further compounded the challenges, leading to delays in deployment and potentially hindering the effectiveness of the response.
In response to these revelations, Gilmour outlined a commitment to continuous improvement, stating that every operation serves as a learning opportunity.
Over 30 "fixes" were highlighted in one report and identified issues and enhanced future responses.
While proud of his team and the support provided during Cyclone Gabrielle, Gilmour acknowledged that there is room for improvement.
“Every time we do something we will be looking at how we can improve," he said.
"When its a vast and complex operation, when it's evolving like the response to Cyclone Gabrielle, we draw out amongst all our formations and units to provide feedback, so you literally get the kitchen sink when it comes to things that could be done better.
"Some of them are small and tactical, some of them are systemic and we'll apply those... [we need to] get after those things that make the most difference, and there are some things that we can do differently and we will during our next response,” Gilmour said.
The NZDF aims to better prepare for future crises, ensuring a more robust and efficient response.
However, uncertainties remain as to whether all highlighted problems have been rectified, leaving some communities cautiously hopeful for change in the future.
As New Zealand braces for potential future disasters, the NZDF pledges to be better prepared, striving to minimise regrets and maximise support for those in need.
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