In this episode I speak to Michael Ward, known by most as Nate. Nate is married to Kate Ward who I also speak to on the podcast. He was the Chairman of the Surf Club at Muriwai at the time of Cyclone Gabrielle. He is now the Finance Administration Convenor and is still a trustee of the facility that owns and manages the surf club building.

Nate talks about the issues on the night and in the days following at the surf club, which became the evacuation point for the Muriwai community on the night of Cyclone Gabrielle and a pivotal gathering point for the community. He talks about the learnings and actions that have been taken to prepare the facility better for possible weather events including plans for water, infrastructure, systems, resources, funding, power and communication.

Nate shares advice he has for other communities dealing with a weather event like this and running a community facility that has become an evacuation point as well as an integral part of a community’s response to a disaster and subsequent recovery.

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.