Wellington, New Zealand — A comprehensive inquest spearheaded by Coroner Erin Woolley delves into the tragic fatalities tied to the severe weather events that struck New Zealand early this year, including the Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods and the devastating impact of Cyclone Gabrielle. The inquiry follows a pattern similar to the scrutiny applied after the Christchurch mosque attacks, reflecting the gravity and public importance of these natural disasters.
The events in question commenced over the Auckland Anniversary Weekend commencing January 27, 2023, when heavy rainfall led to dangerous flooding, taking multiple lives. The situation escalated in the following weeks, culminating in the ferocity of Cyclone Gabrielle, which wreaked havoc across the North Island’s east coast, particularly affecting communities in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti Gisborne. Among the youngest victims was Ivy Collins, a toddler whose family’s home in Eskdale was overwhelmed by floodwaters, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of such catastrophic events.
The oldest victim, 86-year-old Helen Street from Napier, was found in a dire situation exacerbated by her reliance on oxygen, which underscores the vulnerability of dependent and elderly individuals during such crises. The death toll featured a significant gender disparity, with the majority of the victims, thirteen, being men.
The scope of Woolley’s inquiry extends past the initial impact of the storm, as it also includes subsequent deaths related to the cyclone that occurred in March, April, and August of 2023. The Auckland-focused aspect of the inquiry will scrutinize the adequacy of public warnings, landslide risk assessment, weather forecasting, and the timeliness and effectiveness of the emergency responses.
Similarly, the investigation will cover the response in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti Gisborne, examining how well the risks of flooding were communicated, the preparedness for the weather events, and the strategic planning regarding residential development in flood-prone areas. Notably, during the cyclone, individuals who sought help through emergency services were reportedly told that no assistance was available, a critical point likely to be addressed in the inquiry.
The backgrounds of the other victims who lost their lives during these events paint a sobering picture of the widespread impact of the natural disasters. Daniel Miller, Dave Young, Daniel Newth, and David Lennard were all casualties of the Anniversary Weekend floods in Auckland. Their stories, alongside those of Muriwai volunteer firefighters Craig Stevens and Dave van Zwanenberg, who died during Cyclone Gabrielle, underscore the broad and indiscriminate impact of such severe weather events.
Scheduled hearing dates reflect the urgency and priority of this inquiry, with sessions set to take place between June 30 and July 4, and later from August 18 to August 29 at the Newmarket Court Hearing Centre for the Auckland case. The Hawke’s Bay inquiry will hold its hearings at the Hastings courthouse from October 7 to October 17, and again from November 10 to November 14.
In her statements, Coroner Woolley emphasized the increasing frequency and severity of weather events in New Zealand, highlighting the critical nature of this inquiry not just for providing answers and closure to the affected families, but also for informing future emergency preparedness and response strategies. The lessons learned from these tragic events are crucial for mitigating the impacts of similar disasters in the future, ensuring that communities are better protected and more resilient.