Kia ora whanau,

Our whanau have just rested and shared a meal in Turangi.  We are on the road again and taking an easy trip back. We’re slightly ahead of time, and our next check in will be as vehicles enter Rotorua.

Please continue to keep all of our whanau in your hearts and prayers today.

Paora Stanley

​

​Kia ora whanau,
 
Good news!  After a very moving service at the Ratana Pa chapel where our people found great spiritual value and strength, we are now on the move.  We are travelling in small convoys of cars and taking our time to return to Tauranga.  Every effort is being made to ensure a comfortable trip home.  We estimate the trip will take around seven hours, but we will be updating you with a more accurate ETA as we get closer.  We will let you all know when we reach Rotorua.
 
Be assured everyone had another medical check before departure, and we are arranging to have a nurse and doctor available on arrival at Whareroa Marae in case they are needed at the end of the journey.
 
Because the two groups have been separated since the accident, Ratana was the place where they were able to catch up with each other again, a nourishing experience.  Despite a lot of aches and pains and limps, spirits were high and there was lots of smiles and light banter. Everyone is very shaken but grateful for life.
 
I am going back via Palmerston North to check on our one last person remaining in hospital.
 
Please continue to keep all of our whanau in your hearts and prayers today.
 
Paora Stanley
 
 
 

​Kia ora whanau,
 
After a good night’s rest, everyone in Whanganui is in good spirits – sore but happy to be alive. 
 
One person remains in hospital at Palmerston North.  Whanau are with her.  A team will be at the hospital this morning to get the latest update so we will let you know as soon as we have an accurate picture.
 
The Whanganui people are making their way to the Ratana Pa this morning.  Those people in Palmerston North are also preparing to head over to Ratana Pa, so everyone can catch up together. 
 
The aim now is that everyone involved in the accident will be driven back to Tauranga and Hauraki today, leaving from Ratana Pa.  The Ratana church has been very helpful, and shown great care and concern for our people.  We are truly grateful.
 
Some people are missing things like clothes and prescription glasses, so the team is sorting that out.
 
Emily is available on 021495627 if you need more information.  We wish everyone safe travelling today. 
 
Keep all of our whanau in your hearts and prayers today.
 
Paora Stanley

Kia ora whanau,

We have been heartened by the discharge from hospital of many of our people.  Three will be staying in hospital overnight as far as we know, but we will be ferrying back the remainder of our precious cargo to Tauranga tomorrow.

We heard about this accident at 3.13pm today.  Response teams were set up within the first 40 minutes, our staff were on the ground in Palmerston North, Wanganui, Wellington, and Tauranga, as well as me being in transit from Tauranga to Palmerston North.  

Our priority was ensuring the wellbeing of our people. We got on to the police straight away and started to coordinate the iwi liaison officers in three different districts.  Offers of assistance from others also started flowing in, for which we are extremely grateful.

Media started calling within 40 minutes and a lot of time was taken up by responding media-wise, and answering their questions.  An iwi media statement went out within an hour and a half of that initial call.

I was on my way back to Tauranga from the iwi chairs forum when that call came through.  I diverted to drive straight through to Palmerston North.

Most of that time on the road has been coordinating and assisting those teams on the ground.

Our chairman, Charlie Tawhiao, has been kept abreast of everything that is going on.  His focus has been ensuring that the teams involved in dealing with this have everything they need.  Charlie is attending the iwi chairs forum and has continued to deal with the issue of the Hauraki signing trying to find pathways through with other iwi leaders and government ministers, secure in the knowledge his operations team has the aftermath of this accident in hand.

The next stage is to ensure everyone has a comfortable night, especially if they have injuries.  

First thing in the morning we will assess the best way to get everyone home again.

Emily is available on 021495627 if you need more information.  

And again, please keep all of our whanau in your prayers tonight.

Paora Stanley


​

​Kia ora whanau,
 
We have seen some misinformation circulating about the bus.  To quell any doubts you might have, be assured the bus had a thorough examination and passed its COF within the past three weeks.  The model is known to be a very reliable model.  The drivers are experienced drivers. 
 
In any incident like this the police carry out a thorough investigation.  Let’s avoid all speculation and wait for the result of the standard police investigation.
 
Again, please don’t hesitate to contact Emily on 021495627 for more information. 
 
And please keep all of our whanau in your prayers tonight.
 
Paora Stanley

​Kia ora whanau,
 
The team in Whanganui is ferrying our whanau who have been discharged to accommodation right now.  The team in Palmerston North is standing by for those who are still receiving medical attention and waiting for scan results. 
 
We have received magnificent assistance from the police via Inspector Phil Taikato.  Our crew has organised iwi liaison officers to assist in both Whanganui and Palmerston North.  TPK has put someone on the ground in Whanganui to assist.  And we have also received welcome assistance from the Ratana Church and whanau living in the Whanganui area.
 
Please don’t hesitate to contact Emily on 021495627 for more information. 
 
And please keep all of our whanau in your prayers tonight.
 
Paora Stanley
 

​Kia ora whanau,
 
I will be updating you as information comes to hand.  We are working alongside the police to make sure we have the latest information.  What we know so far is that most people suffered only some bumps and bruises, but three of our whanau have suffered moderate to serious injuries.
 
We have compiled a list of who was on board the bus and have ascertained which of the two hospitals – Palmerston North and Whanganui – they are at.  Thirteen are at Whanganui and are all OK.  Six are at Palmerston North and we are still waiting for some results from tests.  Those who have been checked at hospital and discharged are in accommodation in Whanganui for the night.
 
Our Maori team will be checking on them in hospital, and we will keep you updated as soon as we hear anything.  We are keeping everyone together where possible.  Our priority is our whanau, those who were injured and those who are helping with transport, food, accommodation and any other needs.  We have a team coordinating from Palmerston North, another team coordinating from Wanganui, and another team coordinating from Tauranga. 
 
Please contact Emily on 021495627 if you are worried and looking for more information.  We ask that you keep all of our whanau in your prayers tonight.
 
Paora Stanley

2 August 2018
Media Announcement

Ngai Te Rangi Iwi Chief Executive Paora Stanley advises that a bus carrying whanau returning from Parliament this afternoon has crashed in Sanson. There have been injuries and details are still coming through. People have been taken to Whanganui and Palmerston North Hospitals. More information will be given as it comes to hand.

All media to contact Paora Stanley (027) 772 7961
Other information contact Del Carlini (021)709 907