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Photo by Southland Fire and Emergency Facebook.
Kiritapu Allen, Conservation Minister says the Awarua fire is an international loss.
After nearly two weeks, the fire that destroyed 1400 hectares (19,000 coastal wetland) near Bluff is under control. However, it could still linger underground in the peat.
Ms. Allen was in Southland to witness Monday’s fire and to learn more about the impact of the fire on the area, which is home for over 60 species native birds and a major carbon sink.
“It’s absolutely devastating. Black sweeps through these wetlands, taking out all the native species. When it’s burned it releases carbon into the environment and when we’re in a climate crisis globally, releasing that amount of carbon, massively devastating for Aotearoa,” she says.
In her capacity as Emergency Response Minister and East Coast MP, Ms Allen is also monitoring the impact of the remnants of tropical cyclone Fili on Tairawhiti and Hawke’s Bay.
Tairawhiti Civil Defence claims that some areas of the region received more than 100 millimeters in rain in less than 12 hours.
State Highway 35 was shut down last night just north of Gisborne due to trees falling, and there are warnings about rising waters.
There were widespread power outages along the East Coast and Mahia.
