Councillor Says Listen to Raglan Community Radio in an Emergency

On Wednesday, Whaingaroa faced a significant power outage that left most residents without electricity for an extended period. Local councillor Lisa Thomson joined us in the studio to emphasise the importance of civil defence and community preparedness for such emergencies  and spoke about putting together kits that include things like candles, gas cookers and radios. 

By Friday morning, the majority of Raglan and Whaingaroa properties had their power restored, with most of the generators falling silent overnight. WEL Networks said some locations were still without electricity and launched concerted efforts to address these issues. The outages map showed improvement, with just a couple of spots left without power, including parts of Te Uku around Matokatea Road and part of Cogswell Road. By the end of the day, the map showed no outages on this side of the deviation.

Community Preparedness

The outage underscored the need for better household resilience and preparedness. Many residents were caught off guard, lacking basic emergency supplies like candles and battery-powered radios. Lisa said that ideally, most households should be prepared for at least three days without power. This includes having access to alternative heating sources, sufficient food, and a means to stay informed, such as a battery-powered transistor radio.

“We were really lucky because we've got a generator and we're on gas at home. So we could hit the hot showers. And we were also really well resourced in candles and power packs.”

There were also instances where people, especially those without communication devices, were left in the dark about the situation and Lisa discussed the need for quicker and more frequent updates from the authorities to keep the public informed.

The recent outage has prompted discussions about improving civil defence strategies in Raglan. This includes educating the community on what it means to be self-sufficient for three days and ensuring that vulnerable populations are supported.

“It's crucial that we are as prepared as possible because we will likely face more of these events in the future. Even though the storm itself didn't last long, its impact is far-reaching and extends beyond the storm's duration.”

Wastewater Overflow

During the recent power outage, the town's wastewater network faced challenges with its 24 pump stations at risk of overflowing. Normally managed by one person, Lisa said the council quickly mobilised additional staff and contractors.

Generators were deployed to key locations, including the Wainui Road pump station, and rotated to other critical sites to maintain operations. The outage also affected the telemetry system, which usually monitors pump stations and triggers alarms.

Despite efforts, the council has confirmed that spills occurred at the Nihinihi Avenue and Marine Parade pump stations, with volumes in the tens of litres. Due to the small amounts, the effluent can be quickly and safely diluted within the harbour waterways, eliminating the need for any testing.

Activation for Māori Voices and Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Yesterday, a national call from Te Pāti Māori encouraged people to unite in support of the Treaty of Waitangi and to highlight Māori voices on Budget Day. Lisa attended an activation in Hamilton, which began at Te Rapa Straight and proceeded to the University of Waikato. She said the event was peaceful, with participants walking on footpaths and avoiding road disruptions.

Lisa says the morning was highlighted by speeches from various leaders, including Lady Tureiti Moxon of Te Kōhao Health and two young Māori representatives. She said that as a district councillor and strong advocate for Māori representation, she joined the activation to support equity and better relationships within our communities. 

The recent legislative changes pushed through by the coalition government, which allow councils to disestablish Māori wards or call for binding polls, underscore the ongoing struggle for fair representation.

Lisa said that this activation was not a protest but a deliberate effort to peacefully stand up for Māori rights. The event was a reminder of the importance of diverse voices in our democracy, ensuring that better decisions are made for the benefit of all.