Opihi student wins big after completing a flood of challenges.

Showing he’s ready for when a disaster strikes has paid dividends for a Temuka student.

Canterbury regional winner of the 2023 Get Ready Challenge, 12 year old Jack Norton from Opihi College has won himself an Apple iPad after completing five challenges about flooding.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Get Ready Challenge aims to encourage students and whānau to be ready in any type of emergency. This year’s theme was focused around the dangers of flooding.

Floods are common in New Zealand, this is why NEMA wanted to engage with students on how to be better prepared in case of a flooding event.

Recent history has shown it to be one of the most common disasters faced in the Timaru District, and the risks have been highlighted in recent months across many parts of New Zealand following Cyclone Gabrielle, with extensive damage to homes roads, bridges, railway tracks, crops, and buildings.

Jack completed all five challenges including: informing people about the dangers of floodwaters, learning about flooding in his area, making a list of items to move in a flood, working out what to pack in a grab bag for his household, and knowing where to get important information in an emergency.

The competition was run throughout the country, with Jack being picked as the Canterbury regional winner last month. The prize was given to Jack during school Assembly last week by Timaru District Council Emergency Management Advisor, Lamorna Cooper.

She said Jack had really impressed with his knowledge of how to get ready for a disaster, and what to do when one strikes.

“The Get Ready Challenge is a great way to engage and encourage students to be prepared in an emergency situation,” said Lamorna.

“I’m looking forward to being a part of this awesome initiative next year, hopefully I’ll be back to hand out another prize at one of our schools.”