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McFall Fuel has worked hard to keep the fuel flowing for Civil Defence, customers, and groups designated as essential to the emergency. “We were the only ones who had any fuel the day after the cyclone went through,” said Hawkes Bay Area Operations Manager Craig Gowler. “Rationing the fuel to meet priority needs was challenging until the power was restored at the Terminal so that we had access for our trucks to load from there. I was really proud to think that we had fuelled the navy boat HMNZS Te Mana in Auckland which arrived in Napier with the much needed generators and other relief aid while at the same time the Team here were doing all they could to deliver fuel. The army is fuelled daily at the Port of Napier where they have set up camp. Once the NZDF moved into Hastings our job was to have fuel ready on site from 8am to 2pm daily to be helicoptered out to remote areas. Some of our drivers had even been evacuated from their homes but are still helping out.”

In Gisborne Driver Trainer/Area Operations Manager Sean Hovell was faced with trying to get in touch with several staff who were isolated and cut off in the Gisborne/Wairoa area while at the same time being McFall Fuel’s lead person with Civil Defence managing and delivering the fuel as directed. “We knew we had the Team behind us and working with us even if we could only communicate with them sporadically. Ensuring we had safe and successful deliveries was critical and getting the fuel into the Region from Mount Maunganui as the Waioweka Gorge reopened was well managed,” said Sean. “We are keen to see the community supported and we are doing the best we can with the fuel we have to meet people’s needs.”