Auckland Response Team NZ-RT5

04/04/2026

Another busy and rewarding month has gone by for NZ-RT5. There certainly has been a theme this month with the community support and the training that we've been involved in!

👉 Swiftwater Course:
In an effort to increase our capabilities, our team delved more into practicing our rescue techniques in moving water to ensure effective and safe responses.

👉 Far North Deployment:
Another composite team of Auckland Response Teams deployed to the Far North Region to provide support for flood affected communities.

We can't thank the volunteers enough, for providing their time and effort in making sure that we can serve and support our communities in their time of need.

30/03/2026

Our team has now been deployed four times already this year, and we couldn’t be prouder of their ongoing commitment — giving up their own time to support our partner agencies and stand alongside communities when it matters most.

During our recent four-day deployment in Te Tai Tokerau, we worked on the ground with Civil Defence Northland, Fire and Emergency, Whangārei District Council, and Far North District Council. We extend a sincere mihi to all our partner agencies for the warm welcome and strong collaboration throughout.

We were also pleased to work alongside our fellow responders from Auckland Response Team South (NZ-RT23), as well as our on-the-ground Auckland Emergency Management Advisor — always a privilege to operate together as one team.

Deployments like these are demanding, and we are incredibly proud of the professionalism, resilience, and mahi demonstrated by our people.

We remain committed, ready, and prepared to respond whenever and wherever we are needed.

01/03/2026

Happy end of Feb everyone!
Yet another busy month for NZ-RT5!

We were able to help out communities when they needed us the most. We have had more opportunities to keep strengthening our skills and readiness so we can answer the call.

👉 Milford Community Presence:
We have had the honor of showcasing to the public what we, as first responders, can do in case we're called to action in a Civil Emergency.
👉 Helicopter Training:
Our team worked hard to build confidence in working in/around helicopters for those operations where ground vehicles are not an option.
👉 Flood Course:
Simulating some real world scenarios that Auckland has unfortunately experienced in the past, our responders practiced skills that ensured that they can respond effectively including crossing flood waters, pumps and some light swift water rescue.
👉 Waikato Deployment:
A composite team of Auckland RTs were deployed to the Waikato Region to help with the flooding. Some of the community services they were tasked with were:
- Welfare checks
- Debris clearing

Once again, a heartfelt thank you to all of the volunteers at NZ-RT5 and the team at AEM! It's your grit, dedication and passion that keeps the team running in service for the community.

16/02/2026

27/01/2026

🌧️ Response Update – NZ-RT5 🌧️

NZ-RT5 was recently deployed to Whangaruru and the wider Whangārei area alongside NZ-Auckland Response Team - South (NZ-RT23), conducting welfare checks for residents impacted by flooding and slips following the latest severe weather events.

During the deployment, our teams were also able to distribute food parcels to affected households. We were grateful for the support and assistance provided by the Ngātiwai Trust Board throughout this response.

We were privileged to stay at Ōtetao Reti Marae, where we were welcomed with incredible aroha and manaakitanga. The marae whānau made our teams feel like family, and we were deeply honoured to be gifted a taonga by Ōtetao Reti Marae — a gesture we will carry with great respect and gratitude.

Our thoughts are with all communities still recovering across other impacted areas including the Coromandel, Great Barrier Island, Bay of Plenty, and Tairāwhiti. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families and whānau who have lost loved ones during these devastating weather events.

Kia kaha — our communities stand together 💛💙

21/01/2026

🚨 Puhoi Deployment 🚨

Last night, the NZ-RT5 North Shore Response Team was deployed to Puhoi to recon the area for surface flooding and to assist with sandbagging at the Puhoi Sports and Community Hall.

A burst of heavy rain between 11:00am and 1:00pm caused the river to swell significantly. Although the rain was easing by the time our team arrived, there were concerns that water levels would not drop quickly enough ahead of the incoming high tide.

Our team carried out a site assessment and successfully sandbagged the Puhoi Sports and Community Hall to help protect this important community asset.

We’re incredibly grateful that we were able to deploy a team at short notice. A huge thank you to everyone involved — an awesome job by the team, and a great example of readiness and teamwork when it matters most.

22/12/2025

🎄 Merry Christmas from NZ-RT5 🎄

As the year comes to a close, we’d like to take a moment to say a huge thank you to Auckland Emergency Management, Auckland Response Team - South (NZ-RT23)and NZ-RT3, for your ongoing support, teamwork, and dedication throughout the year. It’s a privilege to work alongside such committed and professional teams in service of our communities.

We’d also like to give a special thank you to all of our Facebook followers and supporters. Your encouragement, engagement, and continued backing mean more to us than you know, and we’re incredibly grateful to have you on this journey with us.

Wishing everyone a safe, restful, and well-deserved Christmas, and all the best heading into the New Year. 🎅✨

— NZ-RT5

13/12/2025