Police officer awarded bravery medal for Cyclone Gabrielle rescue

Saturday 13 December 2025 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated Sat 13 Dec 2025, 6:56pm

In this story Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Detective Sergeant Heath Jones was one of eight people to receive a New Zealand bravery medal on Saturday. He was commended for wading through chest-high floodwaters to rescue a mother and two children stranded on a roof during Cyclone Gabrielle.

How they headlined it

10h

9:10am6:56pm

1. RNZSat 13 Dec 2025, 9:10am

   Police officer commended for bravery after rescuing family during Cyclone Gabrielle (opens in new tab)

2. NZ HeraldSat 13 Dec 2025, 6:56pm

   Cyclone Gabrielle bravery: Hawke’s Bay police officer commended after rescuing family (opens in new tab)