Today I speak with Scott De Silva, the current Auckland Council Manager of Regional Parks and an operations controller in Auckland Emergency Management when Cyclone Gabrielle hit. He has worked in Muriwai and been part of the community for many years and lives nearby in Cable Road.

Scott talks about what Auckland Council was expecting and preparations taken before the weather event, his role in the recovery and restoration of Muriwai, the first community meeting in Muriwai, managing communications and some of the frustrations he experienced.

We explore the Muriwai cordons process, opinions of the cordons within the community and beyond, impacts of the cordons on local commercial businesses and the security systems adopted.

Scott shares the challenges at this time, the learnings, the changes and developments in emergency management in Auckland Council and Regional Parks that have been undertaken, and advice he has for other communities facing or impacted by a weather event.

Precipice launched on July 20th 2026. 3 seasons will be released across 4 weeks and then the full series of 26 episodes will be available for you to listen to at your leisure.

Season 1: Cyclone Gabrielle Hits Muriwai

Season 2: Disaster Recovery and Community Restoration

Season 3: Community Initiatives after a Cyclone

Listen on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/@precipicepodcast

Follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/precipicepodcast

Hosted and produced by Mandy Jakich. Commissioned and funded by Muriwai Community Association, supported by the Auckland Council Recovery Office.