First witness gives evidence at Cyclone Gabrielle inquest

The first witness to give evidence at a coronial inquiry looking into the deaths of 13 people during Cyclone Gabrielle says Gisborne's civil defence was better organised than Hawkes Bay. Ken Cooper was the central Team Leader for Urban Search and Rescue during the cyclone and was deployed to Tairawhiti first, before moving on to the Hawkes Bay region. Mr Cooper's evidence is part of a three week inquest at Hastings District Court to examine the emergency response on preparedness of authorities during the devastating 2023 storm. Alexa Cook reports.