New Zealand's hospital emergency department staff, including emergency physicians at Whakatane, Tauranga, Waikato, Middlemore, Christchurch and Hutt Valley hospitals, have responded with total dedication to save lives since the first patients came through.
ACEM President Dr John Bonning says: "It is a deeply distressing time during this profoundly tragic event and as emergency physicians our thoughts are with the individuals, families and communities affected by this horrific event."
Dr Bonning also paid tribute to hospital staff in other departments who provided critical treatment and care for the many injured patients resulting from this mass casualty event.
"I'm also very mindful that Whakatane Hospital and staff, a small regional hospital, has dealt with the brunt of the acute injuries."
"As the true extent of this tragedy becomes clearer in the days ahead, we stand with other emergency responders including the New Zealand Police, Civil Defence, other government agencies and the local communities in supporting emergency efforts."
