Civil Defence staff performed “heroic” feats when they climbed in darkness over fallen trees at the peak of a raging cyclone to deliver a piece of paper to.
A review of the Cyclone Gabrielle response found the emergency management response was not fit for purpose - and not good for media providing critical 'real time' coverage of the disaster. But one broadcaster that's criticised officials for being overconfident and underprepared also downplayed the danger at the time.
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Public backlash against the performance of emergency management in the Cyclone Gabrielle crisis led to some leaving their jobs and even the Hawke’s Bay.