Havelock North community emergency hub supports resilience

More than 200 people attended the Havelock North Function Centre community emergency hub open day last weekend [Sunday, May 25) to find out more about the hub and what it offers.

It’s one of over 40 community emergency hubs being established across the district – a community-led process supported by Hastings District Council and the Civil Defence Emergency Management Office to improve resilience in the event of a future disaster such as Cyclone Gabrielle.

The function centre has been enhanced to be able to provide emergency support to the local community, including the installation of backup power systems (generators and solar power) and other emergency equipment.

The day was an opportunity to see the facilities and equipment, find out more about how to access support, and talk to emergency responders and volunteers about what happens during an emergency situation.

The event was supported by FENZ, St John, Civil Defence Emergency Management Office, and Neighbourhood Support alongside the function centre team. Historian Michael Fowler gave a well-attended talk on the history of Havelock North, and there were activities for kids, including an opportunity to sit in an historic fire truck.

Havelock North Function Centre board chairman Graham Linwood said the centre would now be able to support members of the community in the event of a civil emergency, “which we hope will never happen again. If it does, residents will have somewhere to go for assistance.

“Funding from Red Cross and the government, along with support from Council and training of volunteers by St John has equipped the centre to a high level and we are grateful for the assistance of those in the community who have been involved”.

Mr Linwood also acknowledged Pure Catering’s ongoing support for the centre.

On the day, a family-sized grab bag sponsored by Civil Defence was won by a local family of four, and Council displayed some of the items that can be deployed during an emergency, including emergency radios and one of two Emergency Welfare Support Trailers with bedding, power and lighting, as well as facilities to make hot drinks and simple foods.

Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said the Havelock North community was hit hard by the cyclone, and that the partnership was a great example of putting the community at the centre of resilience building.

“Through this partnership, the community has established the equipment and skills that they consider necessary to handle any future event.”

29 May 2025

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