Community Meetings

Two community meetings have been held this morning - to update the evacuees and the wider community - Over 2000 people turned up at the Hope Community Church in Nelson. At the meeting acting district commander for Police - Zane Hooper - thanked the community, and said the police were doing everything they could - including swearing in 40 new police recruits straight from police college to join the efforts in Nelson. David Ensor, acting regional commissioner from the Ministry of Social Development talked the people through what aid services were available for people struggling. Outside the meeting our reporter Tracy Neal spoke to Joyanna Wynn from Spring Grove said she had to evacuate on Friday night - after a tense wait all week. Louise Wise was evacuated from her home in Wakefield at 9 'o' clock last night but her biggest concern was her cat.