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The Defence Force helped evacuate residents after flooding struck Westport last night.
Photo: NZDF
Defence Force staff had a perilous journey, clearing fallen trees from the road and fording the Buller River, before arriving at 9.30pm last night.
They worked until 2.30am this morning, helping about 200 residents who had not been able to evacuate by themselves.
Lieutenant Daniel Lastovicka, who was also involved in the response to the Ashburton floods, said it was great to be able to help out.
Five army trucks arrived in Westport as rising floodwaters threatened last night.
Photo: NZDF Most people were pretty happy to leave their homes and understood what was going on - that it s a pretty significant flood event.
The chief of the army, Major General John Boswell, offered his “unreserved apology” for publishing the essay on Wednesday, saying the army did not endorse its contents. He had named it the winner because it was the better-written entry of two in that category, he said, but that decision was a mistake. “I will always listen to the opinions of others, particularly those of our soldiers. And I think it is important that we seek to understand where other views exist,” he wrote, in a post on the link where the article was removed. “In this particular case however, it has been made clear to me that publishing this essay was viewed as undermining both the inclusive culture we are seeking and the work that is being done across all ranks to effect this change – work that is incredibly important, not just to me but to our organisation.”
Army gives anti-diversity essay award, then removes it after backlash stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.