February 14, 2023
No. 041
New Zealand’s North Island was recently hit by powerful Cyclone Gabrielle, causing major devastation, including widespread flooding, storm surges, and casualties, as well as flight disruptions at Auckland Airport. The government of New Zealand declared a national state of emergency on February 14.
That same day, the Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) contacted Deputy Director Renee Bates of the New Zealand Commerce and Industry Office (NZCIO) on behalf of Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu to convey the heartfelt sympathy of the people and government of Taiwan. The department also expressed Taiwan’s willingness to provide humanitarian assistance in accordance with the scale of the disaster in New Zealand. The NZCIO thanked the Taiwan government for promptly expressing concern.
According to information currently available to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), New Zealand, no Taiwan nationals or businesspeople have been identified among the dead, injured, or stranded. MOFA will maintain close communication with TECO, New Zealand; TECO in Auckland; and related New Zealand agencies in order to monitor the disaster’s developments and provide necessary assistance.
Taiwan nationals in New Zealand in need of emergency assistance can call the emergency hotline of TECO, New Zealand at +64-27-449-5300 or TECO in Auckland at +64-27-271-2700, or ask family or friends in Taiwan to call MOFA’s emergency hotline at 0800-085-095. (E)