Napier Hill Hub

16/09/2026

❗️Napier Hill Community Hub exercise - reminder to volunteers.

We are looking forward to seeing as many of our volunteers as possible at our Community Hub Exercise coming up on Saturday 26 September followed by a social BBQ.

This event is a chance to consolidate all the training to date so we can be ready for the real thing.

📍Napier Central School
📆 9am to 1pm followed by a social BBQ
RSVP - please email [email protected] if you can attend the training and/or the BBQ

What to bring? Just yourself - morning tea and BBQ lunch provided.

See you there 👋

27/08/2026

A huge thank you to the more than 30 volunteers who took part in our recent CIMS training to ensure the Napier Hill Community Emergency Hub is set up for a real emergency 🙌

Over two nights, our volunteers completed an Integrated Training Framework (ITF) Foundation programme, based on the Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS) guidelines – the standard system used across New Zealand to coordinate emergency responses, helping communities, Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM), emergency services and other agencies work together effectively.

Nice work everyone! We are so grateful for your support. If you are keen to be part of the Napier Hill Hub volunteer group please email [email protected]

16/08/2026

Calling all Napier Hill Emergency Hub volunteers! Our next training is an important step towards being ready to operate the Napier Hill Community Emergency Hub in a real emergency.

We’ll be completing an Integrated Training Framework (ITF) Foundation programme, based on the Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS) guidelines.

You may have heard of ‘CIMS’ – it’s the standard system used across New Zealand to coordinate emergency responses, helping communities, Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM), emergency services and other agencies work together effectively.

Across the two evenings, the training will focus on how we:
• Manage and coordinate an emergency response, including operating the Hub
• Manage an evacuation
• Establishing leadership and response functions
• Make decisions under pressure
• Coordinate volunteers and resource
• Work alongside others.

The course builds on the practical skills already developed through our Psychological First Aid, First Aid and Emergency Communications training, moving from individual response skills into the wider coordination and management of an emergency.

We’d love to see as many volunteers as possible to attend the training, particularly those who expect to have a role in operating or supporting the Hub. It is one of the key courses for understanding how all of our individual roles and capabilities come together as part of a coordinated community response.

We’re also planning some basic radio training on the Tuesday for those who missed a previous session.

📆Monday 24 & Tuesday 25 August 6.00pm – 8.30pm
📍Napier Central School Hall
📱Please email [email protected] to RSVP

Please attend even if you can only make it for one of the evenings.

If you live on Napier Hill and are interested in becoming a volunteer please contact us through [email protected]

22/07/2026

Kia ora Napier Hill Emergency Hub volunteers, we are pleased to be offering free communications training next week!

Do you want to build your emergency communications skills? Hub Coordinators, communications volunteers and anyone interested in supporting the Hub during an emergency are invited to a practical Emergency Communications Training course run by FIRST72. It covers the use of PRS two-way radios, Tier 3 handheld radios and base kits, along with communication systems used by Civil Defence, councils and community hubs.

You will learn radio protocols, message handling, the phonetic alphabet and how to establish effective communications during an emergency. The course includes hands-on exercises using realistic emergency scenarios, giving you the confidence to use the equipment as part of a coordinated response.

🗓️ Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 July 5.30pm to 8.30pm
📍Napier Central School Hall
📧 Please email [email protected] to register your interest.

24/06/2026

Congratulations to 15 of our fabulous Napier Hill Emergency Hill Hub volunteers who have graduated with an International Red Cross certificate 👩‍🎓🧑‍🎓and are well placed to support the local community in case of emergency! 👏👏

If you are interested in becoming part of the volunteer group please email [email protected] - we are having an induction night early July. All welcome!

19/06/2026

Thank you to those who have registered to take part in Napier Hill Hub’s International First Aid course run by Red Cross on Monday and Tuesday. Please note a change of start time from 6pm to the new time of 5.30pm.

‼️ It’s not to late to register as we still have some places available! Please email [email protected]

⛑️ What: A general first aid course that is suitable for anyone who has offered to volunteer at the Hub. You will be given an International First Aid certificate on completion.

📅 When: Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 June * from 5.30pm - 8.30pm

📍Where: Napier Central School Hall

💰Cost: Free - thank you Red Cross

🍿To bring: Drinks and snacks - we know this is across dinner time! Please wear warm and comfy close as there will be some floor work.

*please note you must be able to attend both training sessions

16/06/2026

It’s National Volunteer Week (Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu) and a good time to give a massive shout out to the 70 amazing volunteers who have helped build and create the Napier Hill Emergency Hub 💙

Behind the scenes there are amazing volunteers who set up websites, inspire others to take part, share their buildings, take part in emergency training and more.

THANK YOU for giving up your time to train, support and practice so our community is resilient and ready for anything thrown our way 👏👏

This year's theme is "Your Year to Volunteer – Tōu tau ki te tūao," and if you are interested in joining us please contact [email protected]

12/04/2026

🌬️☔️ Cyclone Vaianu’s unwelcome visit over the weekend is a reminder of the need to always be prepared. We used the opportunity to give the Napier Hill Emergency Hub at Napier Central School a test run and we are pleased to report it went really well!

Thank you to our volunteers who showed up - and we were ready to kick into action if we had been needed.

If you live in the Napier Hill area and are keen to be part of the Emergency Hub volunteer group or find out more please email [email protected]

21/03/2026

Check out this opinion piece in Hawke’s Bay Today from one of our Hub founders and former regional councillor Martin Williams. It highlights the importance of being prepared.

OPINION: As someone who lives here, I am aware of how unprepared we are to host.

16/01/2026

Exciting news! 🎉 Our EPOD was installed in its permanent position yesterday at Napier Central School — a major milestone on our journey toward community readiness. 🚀

The Hub team will be in touch with our network over the coming month with more details and next steps. Stay tuned!