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A message from Mayor Mahé with |
Last week’s massive rain event has left our city physically and emotionally scarred. The landslide on Mauao and tragic loss of life that followed more than two months average rainfall in a matter of hours last Thursday has deeply affected our community.
Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families involved as they deal with the impacts of this life-changing event, along with the first responders who continue to work tirelessly in massively difficult and unstable conditions.
Over the intervening days, it’s vital that we start the process of learning from this situation, so that we can do everything possible to safeguard our community in the future. To that end, Council elected members and the executive team have initiated an independent review of the facts and events leading up to the landslide.
We need to have a clear and accurate understanding of the background to this situation and are working to appoint someone with the appropriate expertise to lead the work involved. Given the gravity of this situation, it’s important that that person has the requisite skills, experience and level of public trust required.
The Council, on behalf of the directly-involved families and the whole community, needs to understand all the information relevant to this tragedy occurring, and get expert guidance on whether everything was done that was appropriate in the circumstances.
This review is not intended to replace any other formal processes which may be initiated in due course.
In the meantime, our focus remains on supporting those affected and those responsible for the rescue and recovery operation. We also acknowledge the pain felt by our neighbours in the Western Bay, where two lives were also lost in a massive landslide – another tragedy for the region.
Kia kaha, Mahé Drysdale.
