Hawke's Bay Mayors all agree that the emergency management system needs a complete overhaul as they accept a report detailing the flaws in the Civil Defence response to Cyclone Gabrielle.
The review found that state of emergency declarations were made too late because Civil Defence gave mayors technical information, rather than explaining that a declaration would provide public reassurance.
It also found that volunteers, contractors and businesses were not well utilised by Civil Defence despite their heroic response.
Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Alex Walker spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
