Gisborne’s New Helicopter Pads | Auckland News

Auckland News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 3, 2026 · 1m

Gisborne’s emergency readiness just got a major boost with the launch of new helicopter landing pads—bright orange and white targets designed to speed up lifesaving air drops. Funded by the government, these zones are part of a broader resilience push, especially vital when roads fail during extreme weather. Local Civil Defence teams are now trained not just for helicopter landings, but also for desalination and hybrid energy systems—preparing for earthquakes and more. Coincidentally—or perhaps fate—a 5.7 quake hit near Te Araroa shortly after training, underscoring why this prep is…