Current Events 19/2/23

Wairoa is an area badly affected by ex-cyclone Gabrielle. Where is Wairoa?

• Northland

• Hawkes Bay

• Southland

• Bay of Plenty

Answer explanation

Hawkes Bay - The town, about 100km south of Gisborne, was cut off thanks to slips, bridge collapses and poor road conditions. Homes in the area were left underwater after the Wairoa River breached its banks.

The Government declared a state of emergency during the cyclone - only the third in New Zealand's history. Which two events led to the previous state of emergency declarations?

• Cyclone Bola and the 2011 Christchurch earthquake

• 1931 Napier earthquake and Cyclone Bola

• 2011 Christchurch earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic

Answer explanation

2011 Christchurch earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic - When a National State of Emergency has been declared, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) manages the response to the situation.

Two firefighters were trapped in a landslide during the cyclone. In which area did the landslide occur?

• Muriwai, Auckland

• Whitianga, Coromandel

• Taradale, Hawkes Bay

• Hicks Bay, East Coast

Answer explanation

Muriwai, Auckland - The firefighters were thought to be assessing flood damage when a landslide crushed the home they were in. Tragically one of the men never made it out alive and the other died later in hospital.

In which part of New Zealand has devastation like this occurred recently?

• Golden Valley

• Hutt Valley

• Greenstone Valley

• Esk Valley

Answer explanation

Esk Valley - Cyclone Gabrielle has caused damage and devastation on an unprecedented scale. Areas of Northland, East Coast and Hawkes Bay have borne the brunt of the extreme event.

What is the name of the river that broke its bank, leading to the evacuation of the Napier suburb of Taradale?

• Tutaekuri River

• Waimakariri River

• Clutha River

• Waikato River

Answer explanation

Tutaekuri River - Mass evacuations were carried out in the heavily populated suburb of Taradale as the Tutaekuri River could no longer be contained by its banks. Orchard workers in the area were stranded on roofs above several feet of water for a number of hours.

HMNZS Te Mana carried out a search and rescue mission for a person in an adrift yacht during the cyclone. The search was carried out north of the …

• Dog and Cat Islands

• Horse and Hound Islands

• Hen and Chicken Islands

Answer explanation

Hen and Chicken Islands - A boatie missing after their vessel broke from its mooring at Great Barrier Island was rescued after setting off a locator beacon.

Who sent a team of disaster experts to New Zealand to assist in the post-cyclone recovery effort?

• Japan

• UK

• Australia

• China

Answer explanation

Australia - The Australian Emergency Management Minister said, ”Unfortunately, over the past few years we have become experts in flood response and recovery, and these teams will be of great help to the New Zealand authorities.”

In which country has this woman just stepped down as leader?

• France

• England

• Sweden

• Scotland

Answer explanation

Scotland - Nicola Sturgeon announced that she would resign after eight years as Scotland’s first minister. Sturgeon said she knows the “time is now” for her to stand down, adding that it is “right for me, for my party and for the country.”

True or false, the giant oil and gas company Shell has reported its largest annual loss in its 115-year history?

• TRUE

• FALSE

Answer explanation

False - They actually recorded their highest annual profits after energy prices surged last year following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Profits hit $39.9bn in 2022, double last year's total and the highest in its 115-year history.

Who won the supreme award at the Halberg Awards last week?

• Zoi Sadowski-Synnott

• Lisa Carrington

• Sarah Hirini

• Ruby Tui

Answer explanation

Zoi Sadowski-Synnott - Sadowski-Synnott also won Sportswomen of the year. Nico Porteous won Sportsman of the Year, the Black Ferns won Team of the Year and Corey Peters won Para-Athlete of the Year. Coach of the year went to Wayne Smith.