Napier's mayor accepts a report finding the city was hugely unprepared for Cyclone Gabrielle.

RNZ reports the City Council commissioned an independent review of its response.

The Resilient Organisations report shows the Council wasn't set up to cope with such an event, and only a few staff had emergency management training.

Kirsten Wise says it's good to get the feedback - to plan for future events.

"We certainly acknowledge that we weren't as prepared as we could have been, and that is what we're now focused on- ensuring that we have actually taken on board the recommendations of this report."

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