From response to recovery, community is key

When Cyclone Gabrielle hit Central Hawke’s Bay, Mayor Alex Walker’s primary concern was the isolation of her community. Within 333,000 hectares of land, the Central Hawke’s Bay district encompasses only 15,000 people, and the cyclone’s impact was immense. Hundreds of roads were closed, thousands of people had lost power and the means of communication, and the situation was volatile and rapidly evolving.

The crucial first step in Hawke's Bay was getting people on the ground to help. That’s where Stantec came in—our team was present prior to the event and support arrived quickly, which enabled Central Hawke’s Bay District Council (CHBDC) to start making progress right away, assessing the damage and reinstating route security.

Our team is proud to have been right in the thick of the response, just as we are in the recovery. We’re even more proud to stand alongside the CHBDC team, supporting them as they continue to deliver for our community.