It was all hands to the pump for New Zealand Police staff in the Solomon Islands as the islands were hit by a series of natural disasters.

Catastrophic floods early last month killed at least 21 people, followed by a major earthquake and aftershocks.

The floods made an estimated 50,000 islanders homeless, with thousands crammed into evacuation centres.

Kiwi officers helped Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) colleagues with foot patrols, staffing incident response units and providing general support. Staff also aided coronial processes.

Robyn Ashley, Staff Officer to the New Zealand contingent, said: “Everyone had a role, not necessarily within their skill set - but we Kiwis are very resourceful.”

Some staff, including contingent commander Inspector Ged Byers, were in central Honiara and cut off from their base as the city’s bridges were destroyed or rendered unsafe.

Detective Paul van der Zee, of Waikato, and Sergeant Karen Ellis, of the RNZPC, spent six days in central Honiara patrolling and visiting displacement centres.

“The displacement centres were full to the brim, with extremely limited facilities,” says Karen. “But all they wanted and asked for was the basics: water, food, and toilet roll.”

Superintendent Stu Wildon, National Manager International Service Group (ISG), says early concerns for the welfare of Police staff were soon put to rest.

“The ISG was looking at putting together a support group to send across to provide respite only to be told by Ged that it wasn’t required,” he says.

Seventeen New Zealand Police officers are in the islands with the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

Read Karen Ellis's Letter from the Solomons.