The second phase of a coroner's inquest into the 13 Hawke's Bay deaths during Cyclone Gabrielle began on 6 October. The Ngaruroro River in burst its banks during the cyclone. Photo: Supplied / Dawson Bliss
A Civil Defence boss has made an apology to the families of those who died in Cyclone Gabrielle.
Former Civil Defence Group Controller Ian Macdonald was publicly criticised for being on holiday during the cyclone, and for his team's failure to evacuate people to safety in time.
After the February 2023 storm there were calls from residents for his resignation.
Macdonald defended being on leave when the cyclone hit, saying he was comfortable with his call, as no warnings or watches had been issued at that time.
In August last year he left the job at Civil Defence to take up a role locally as a consultant.
A number of inquiries revealed widespread failures by Hawke's Bay Civil Defence and local councils, who were found to be underprepared and overwhelmed by the devastating weather event.
The second phase of a coroner's inquest is underway at the Hastings District Court, examining the factors that led to 13 people dying in relation to the cyclone.
Then- Hawke's Bay Civil Defence controller Ian Macdonald, speaking to media during the response to Cyclone Gabrielle. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
On Thursday afternoon, Macdonald took the stand at the Coronial Inquiry as a key witness.
In his opening remarks, he acknowledged the victims of the disaster and their families, and the pain and suffering they've experienced.
"As an emergency manager you want to save everybody, and you do your level best to do that. I'm just very sorry that wasn't good enough for your loved ones and we weren't able to save them.
"I would also like to acknowledge the first responders and emergency managers who worked tirelessly at great personal cost in the response to Cyclone Gabrielle," he said.
Floodwaters swept through Eskdale when the river burst its banks on 14 February 2023, claiming two lives in the area Photo: RNZ/ Alexa Cook
Macdonald will continue to give evidence on Friday, and this phase of the inquest is set down for one more week in November.
During the past ten days, the court has heard about a number of issues in the lead up to, and during, the cyclone. Such as delays in communication about equipment failures, opposing views on weather warning upgrades, and nearly hour long wait times for 111.
Witnesses have been urged not to take a defensive stance during the inquest, with the families lawyer pleading for a 'responsible and human centered' approach.
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