Viewpoint – Supporting communities

Over the last three months, as a community we have faced several extreme weather events, including heavy rain, flooding and landslides. These events have tested the resilience of communities in Rodney and highlighted the unique challenges they face in responding to and recovering from natural disasters.

Living in Rodney, I have witnessed first-hand the impact of these weather events on the community.

Many rural communities have been cut off from essential services, including healthcare and transportation, due to damaged roads and infrastructure. Farmers have lost crops and livestock, and many families have been forced to evacuate their homes due to flooding and landslides.

Despite these challenges, I have been inspired by the resilience and adaptability of rural communities in Rodney. Local residents have come together to support each other, providing food and shelter to those in need and volunteering their time and resources to help with recovery efforts. The many support networks that exist throughout our communities have played an important role in connecting local residents and providing a platform for sharing information and resources.

These weather events have also highlighted the importance of funding resilience in our communities. It has become clear that Auckland Council and government need to take action to support our communities to prepare for and respond to emergency events. This includes investing in infrastructure to improve access to essential services during disasters and supporting community-led initiatives to build resilience.

One of the key differences between rural communities in Rodney and those in urban centres like Auckland city is the strong sense of community and connection to the natural environment. While these weather events have created significant challenges for rural communities, they have also brought people together and highlighted the importance of taking care of each other and our waterways and natural environments.

Looking ahead, it is clear that we need to continue to work together to build resilience in our communities in Rodney and prepare for future extreme weather events. By investing in infrastructure and supporting community-led initiatives, we can ensure that our communities are better prepared to respond to and recover in the future.

The last three months have highlighted the unique challenges faced by our communities in Rodney. However, these events have also demonstrated the resilience and adaptability of local residents and the importance of strong community networks to support each other in times of need.