Schools across the region are now better prepared to cope in an emergency thanks to the first tranche of emergency radios have been rolled out by Tairāwhiti Emergency Management.

Ukraine may be a world away from Gisborne but Tairāwhiti Emergency Management group manager Ben Green could see plenty of similarities after presenting at the inaugural Australia-New Zealand-Ukraine Cooperation Forum.

If your home has a red or yellow building placard due to flood-related damage, this page guides you through what it means and what to do next.

UPDATE 8.15pm January 26