Councillors and Community advocates rally for Māngere residents hit hard by Auckland flooding
The Māngere community was one of the hardest hit areas in South Auckland affected by the flooding on January 27th.
After it was announced the South Auckland evacuation centre was going to be in Randwick Park, Manurewa; Local Mangere councillors and community advocates fought hard to have a community information pop up centre set up for Māngere residents struggling to find info on where to get help and access support services.
They will be moving tomorrow from the Māngere Memorial Hall in Māngere Bridge (Tuesday 31st Jan) to Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Pool & Leisure Centre where it will become an official evacuation centre complete with beds and showers as well as the social services shown in the video above.
Māngere-Otāhuhu local board chair Tauanu'u Nick Bakulich said that they've found there are many people who still don't realise this service is available and are calling on people to let friends and family know that they can either come to the Evacuation Centre OR that there are outreach teams available to go out and assist families at their homes.
Labour MP Lemauga Lydia Sosene also noted community social media pages and word of mouth has been key in getting information and updates out to Mangere residents.
One of the pages that saw the need and has been updating constantly is the Mangere 275 page. The admin who wishes to stay anonymous said that the page has been around on facebook for more than a decade now and has always been community focused.
"The modern notice board for everything Māngere, its people, its achievements, lost pets, missing phones etc ...
After Friday’s events, the page has blown up in follows, I feel I need to be more on my game as there is way more reliance on me to post the right info for the community. It's a must that it's right."
The admin said with events like this, it's grapevine, word of mouth and he relies heavily on community to be an extension to their eyes & ears. Messages come in for things to share the admin then filters out what should & shouldn’t be shared. He said the majority is shared though.
"Its all love & respect for Mangere. From the inception of the original page back on bebo. Its all about Mangere and its Champions that it produces. We are a proud community."
For more information on where to get financial help, accommodation and food click here
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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air
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Credits:
Camera & interviewer - Penina Momoiseā
Editor - Sefa Taouma
Additional video footage: Mangere footage from 275 Mangere facebook page admin & Tracey Tamihere, Auckland airport footage from Tara Ola, Mt Roskill footage from Nini Briggs, Epsom footage from Elizabeth Koroivulaono and motorway footage from Penina Momoiseā