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FRIDAY, MAY 17TH 2024 NEWSLETTER 12CONTACT USOnline form via WDC website: www.wairoadc.govt.nz/contact-us/customer-service-request | Phone: 06 838 7309Email: recovery@wairoadc.govt.nz | In-person: at the Wairoa Airport (end of Airport Road) | Website: www.wairoarecovery.co.nzSUPPORTING WHĀNAU WITH REBUILDSGeorge Whakaruru and Maihi Cook are helping to rebuild Wairoa.Up to 20 Wairoa flood-affected house owners will have their homes repaired thanks to the generosity of a global humanitarian fund.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints provides relief and development projects for humanitarian purposes in countries all over the world. This is the first time a project of this type has been undertaken globally with the decision to support Wairoa based on data and information telling the story of Wairoa’s needs.Building work is underway at North Clyde homes, with another first involving the building crew staying in cabins on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints grounds.Elder Fred Morley said it is a privilege to be helping in Wairoa. “We know the town has a focus on getting whānau back into their homes, and that is what we are here to do.”Initially, five homes were identified for the repair. The collaborative project is supported by additional partners, such as the New Zealand Red Cross, with the Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints Humanitarian South Pacific arm covering any other non-funded materials and labour costs.Elder Morley said the project is about supporting and spearheading. “We are working collaboratively with other partners and our aim is to help get as many people as possible back in their homes. Recovery is constantly changing and while we plan on repairing up to 20 houses, we are not sure exactly what it will look like in the future but will try to help as many people as possible.Homes selected for the rebuild are based on a Wairoa Recovery Office priority building matrix.The Projects operate without regard to the nationality or religion of the recipients. The humanitarian service includes emergency response to natural disasters, and the effects of war and famine. After urgent needs are met, the Church looks for additional ways to help with the long-term needs of the community. The Church’s approach is to help people become self-reliant by teaching skills and providing resources for a self-sustained life.Donations for the project are principally from Church members but also from people around the world, who make the relief projects possible. One hundred percent of the donations given to the Church’s humanitarian services are used for relief efforts. The Church absorbs its own overhead costs.

Maihi Cook considers it an honour and privilege to be helping get Wairoa whānau back in their homes.Maihi experienced the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle firsthand after losing his marae, Tongoio Marae, just 20km north of Napier. Maihi lives next door to the marae on higher ground, so his home wasn’t affected, but he witnessed the terror. He still carries the sadness of loss and welcomes the opportunity to help whānau get back on their feet.Maihi and George Whakaruru are builders who work for Stopdigging HB. The business focus is on screw pile foundations and has also been carrying out work in Wairoa to establish the accommodation pods.The rebuild aims to get whānau back to where they were, with most houses needing new walls, kitchens and bathrooms, plus tradie work and painting and flooring. There is a healthy home focus with all the work planned in conjunction with whānau, a draftsperson and the building team to ensure the most effective and efficient approach.Maihi says it is nice to be involved with the Wairoa community through the gym and CrossFit and also to hear the stories from the church elders.Maihi has whānau connections in Wairoa and described the area as paradise, from fishing at the river mouth to the beaches of Mahia. “I’m glad to be able to be here and give something back to the community.”AN HONOUR AND PRIVILEGEMaihi Cook considers it an honour and privilege to be helping get Wairoa whānau back in their homes.Wairoa’s Recovery team are back on the streets as part of staying connected with the community.Last year, the Tails and Tales street corner catch-ups were a great way to hear about issues and share concerns and thoughts.Now, as the pathway to rebuilding is progressing, the team wants to reconnect with people in North Clyde neighbourhoods and check in and catch up.Back to the streets has already had gatherings at Mackley Street and the Tirohia flats and will continue with visits to Ormond Road on May 22 at 4.30pm, Freyberg Street on May 29 at 4.30pm and Somerville Street on June 5 at 4.30pm.Feel free to have a kōroro and kai with the recovery team kaimanaaki.BACK TO THE STREETSThe Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust Funding Round is now open, with groups and organisations encouraged to apply.Thanks to donations from the public, the Trust has $14 million to allocate. This is made up of all the donations to the government appeal (including the special Lotto draw), and all interest earned to date.The Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust is administered by the Department of Internal Affairs and is open for applications from communities, iwi, hapū and marae in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, East Coast and Hawkes Bay regions and the Tararua district.Basic Information:• The funding round opened on 20 March 2024.• The funding round will close on 29 May 2024.• Grant decisions will be notified by 25 July 2024.• Maximum funding request is $30,000.Funding objective: • Support cyclone-impacted communities to recover.Funding priority: • Small scale projects with a tangible benefit able to be quickly delivered.Funding criteria:• the project is located in an impacted region or district.• the project is community, iwi, hapū and/or marae-led.• the project is ready to action as soon as funding is received.• proof that the project has been completed is easily provided.• the project is not a grant to individuals.For more information, including how to apply, please go to www.cycloneappeal.org.nz/CYCLONE GABRIELLE APPEAL TRUST FUNDING ROUND OPEN

STATUS OF STICKERED HOMESPeak numbers were reached around March 8th 2023 then on November 8th 2023 a significant rain/flood event in the Mahia/Nuhaka area resulted in a further 16 Residential Yellow Placards & 2 Red Residential Placards.109PLACARDS REMOVEDYELLOW91YELLOW146MARCH 8TH 2023PEAKMAY 9TH 2024NOWYELLOW16NOVEMBER 8TH 2023EVENTRED3RED2MARCH 8TH 2023PEAKMAY 9TH 2024NOWRED2NOVEMBER 8TH 2023EVENTWHITE198MARCH 8TH 2023PEAKWHITE155MAY 9TH 2024NOWWairoa Recovery Respite Care is about looking after yourself.The impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle are still being felt by many whānau, especially those who are not yet back in their homes, living in a pod, awaiting rebuilding or who have extra people staying with them.The Wairoa Recovery Office has launched a Respite Care project to support local people impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. The project recognises that the road to recovery is a long one and can be a time of frustration.A range of 10 different respite options have been made available, from pampering to a meal out, time away, or wānanga, all with a local flavour and using local providers. The options include Tuitui Designs, a Beauty Antix package, Touchwood Fishing Charter, Wairoa Community Centre gym membership, overnight stays at Waikaremoana, Mahia and Morere, a moko wānanga and dinner and drinks at Gemmells and the Vista.If you need to take a break and get away from the never-ending challenges, please contact the Recovery Office, where the kaimanaaki can see if you meet the criteria to enable them to help you with a respite plan. For more information, contact michelle@wairoadc.govt.nzGIVING BACK TO YOURSELFJeff and Hilary Martin-Chan with their tukutuku crafting produced at a respite wānanga as part of the Wairoa Recovery Respite Care programme.Self-care is part of the cyclone healing process, with this group of local flood-impacted people enjoying the Tuitui Designs wānanga.

North Clyde flooding is nothing new for Bev Priston (Morrell), who can still remember being rescued from flood waters when she was a child. Living at the same whānau property as she does now, Bev can recall her uncle putting her on his shoulders and using submerged fences as a guide to walk to higher ground on Kaimoana Road.Bev was born at 1 Te Rato Road 83 years ago. Her dad, Ned Morrell, built their original whānau home with interlocking joints using no nails. Bev’s Wairoa ties are strong despite her 40 years away living and working in Wellington. She laughs that she started off as a cleaner and ended up an area manager: “The government got a lot out of me.” She and her husband, the late Bernard, moved back to Wairoa about 10 years ago, and now daughter Rose Russell has also joined her mum.Bev recalls how the previous home on the Te Rato Road site had been badly damaged in Cyclone Bola, and the whānau made the decision to build the replacement home higher off the ground.The new elevated home was built around the same time as Queen Elizabeth II visited Wairoa to officially open the new Wairoa Bridge. Bev chuckles at the recollection that on the day of the visit, there was some concrete left over from the bridge work, and it was used for the foundations of the new elevated house, which now sits on Royal foundations.Bev said raising the house was a good move, with Cyclone Gabrielle flood waters just reaching the top step of the house and only flooding the dropped-down living room area.Bev missed the worst of the flooding as she was staying with Rose in Hastings. By sheer luck, she had parked her car on the south side of town near her church and taken the bus, saving her car from being flooded.It was weeks until Bev was able to get back to her Wairoa home. As roads slowly reopened, her son was able to drive from Wellington, collecting Bev and Rose from Palmerston North and coming through Opotiki and Gisborne to get to Wairoa.Bev said she was very emotional when she first saw the house, and her immediate concern was for her cat Niggs – who is a hunter and survived.Bev says the community has been amazing, and everyone has helped out, from repairing her fences to emptying the bottom of the house and taking flood-damaged property away.Bev has spent the past year putting her home back together again. Rose laughs that her mum is a bit of a tradie who wanted a power drill for her last birthday and is happy to get stuck in and repair what she can.“I’m only doing a little bit at a time,” Bev says, “but I want the house to remain for all the whānau who come back.” Bev has six children and spent three months in Ireland with a daughter, which was just a break to get away from working through the flood damage. The house is now nearly back together. The lounge area has had the walls replaced and is waiting on paint and carpet. The next step will be under house insulation so that the bottom of the house can be closed off.Reflecting on the cyclone, Bev said a positive is all the help she received from locals to Civil Defence and Council. “There was a lot of support.” Bev is also in favour of some type of flood mitigation work, saying the river has breached three times in the same place, and that needs to be fixed.PRESERVING HER WHĀNAU HOME FOR THE GENERATIONS TO COMEThe elevated home at 1 Te Rato Street meant most of the house was saved from flood water damage. Pictured is Bev Priston (right) with her daughter Rose Russell (left) and Wairoa Recovery Kaimanaaki Matua Rupene Amato.Bev Priston leans on the porch of her elevated Te Rato Street home. She is waiting for underfloor insulation so she can fill in the bottom of the house.

Hawke’s Bay’s leaders and members of the region’s Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group Joint Committee have welcomed the findings of the Government Inquiry into the Response to the North Island Severe Weather Events, which was released today by Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell.“Similar to the Independent Review into the Hawke’s Bay CDEM Group’s response to Cyclone Gabrielle, Sir Jerry Mateparae’s Government Inquiry has clearly identified a number of learnings and recommendations for improvements to ensure New Zealand’s emergency management system is fit for purpose and ready to respond,” the Joint Committee said.“Given how severely impacted our region was following last year’s North Island Weather Events, it is not surprising that many of the Inquiry’s findings and recommendations relate to Hawke’s Bay.“It is also not surprising that many of those findings are consistent with those in the CDEM Review released late last month, and it remains clear the current emergency management system is simply not fit for purpose and instead sets good people up to fail.”The Government Inquiry is one of a number of reviews either recently completed or still underway that will inform how the Hawke’s Bay region prepares for, and responds to, future events, the Joint Committee said.As a region, we will need to take the time to work through the Inquiry and its findings in detail.“What remains clear is that significant central Government support and investment is going to be critical to ensuring we can deliver the complete overhaul our emergency management system so desperately needs.“As the region’s leaders, we remain fully committed to working not only with central Government but also with our local Hawke’s Bay communities, Iwi, and business leaders to ensure meaningful change occurs based on all relevant review recommendations, and that identified learnings are used wherever possible to strengthen readiness and response capabilities for the future.”HAWKE’S BAY LEADERS WELCOME GOVERNMENT INQUIRY FINDINGS, COMMIT TO CONTINUING TO WORK CLOSELY WITH CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TO DELIVER MEANINGFUL CHANGECyclone Gabrielle clean-up is still available, from collection of building materials to under-house silt removal.Wairoa District Council Chief Executive Kitea Tipuna said the Council is continuing to meet the needs of the flood-affected community by collecting building materials from damaged housing and ongoing under-house silt removal. “We are now moving into a rebuilding stage, and as a result, there is an increase in building materials from flood-damaged homes.“We are seeing a greater need for collecting and removing building materials and building-related debris, so we have shifted our focus to support this area of need. The council has collected thousands of tonnes of flood-affected property, which has been disposed of at no cost to individuals. We won’t be able to continue this free service indefinitely, but we want to help our community and ensure these materials are disposed of appropriately for as long as possible. A reminder to anyone who needs silt cleared from under their homes: please get in touch; this free service is still available.“Because we need to collate the collection of building materials and silt, we ask everyone who would like building materials collected or under house silt removed to please lodge a CSR (Customer Service Request) with the Council to arrange collection. This can be done by phoning the Council on 06 838 7309 or going online at www.wairoadc.govt.nz/contact-us/customer-service-request/ or call into the Council offices or in-person at the Recovery Team Office at the Wairoa airport Monday to Friday between 10am -2pm.”CYCLONE CLEAN-UP SUPPORT CONTINUES

Saturday, 25th May 2024Ngatapa Sports club, Onslow Street, PatutahiCharity rugby & netball tournamentPowhiri from 10.30amNetball starts at 12.30pmRugby kicks off 2.00pmEnquiries to Toby Williams:021 236 7909 | twilliams@fedfarm.org.nzFree entry - all are welcome!Come along and support our communityProudly sponsored by Woolworths New Zealand.Parekura Horomia Memorial

Knee-deep floodwaters through the B3 Engineering workshop and shop allowed for a massive clean-up, creating space to open a new specialised dive shop.Owners Brad and Holley White have turned their own family free-diving hobby into a new Wairoa retail business to support local hunters and gatherers and those who enjoy snorkelling and fun in the water.The couple has owned B3 Engineering Services for around five years and are excited to have set up the new shop, East Coast Dive Supplies, which will sell Cressi and Immersed-branded wetsuits, masks, snorkels, flippers, and spearfishing gear.The purpose-built retail space is a store within a store built within the B3 premises and is currently open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturday mornings.Holley says free diving and scuba diving are popular in the district. “We are surrounded by beautiful dive spots, and we aim to expand the dive shop to meet demand, including adding scuba equipment and, if possible, filling dive tanks. We also have access to the popular Wettie range of wetsuits and carry out repairs and maintenance to dive gear and spear guns.”Since purchasing the Carroll Street business in 2019, the Whites have expanded it and now have a staff of eight, including two apprentices. In addition to a range of engineering services, they also provide heavy diesel machinery services.“We want the dive shop to be like B3 Engineering, where we can offer people an affordable local solution rather than having to drive out of town.”Holley says there are a lot of free divers in the district, and many people want to be self-sufficient by catching kaimoana. “Free diving is a real passion for our whole family. Brad is an amazing diver, and it’s great to be able to combine something we love within the business.“This is just the beginning. We are setting up now in preparation for a summer of diving, and we welcome feedback. Please call in, check us out, and tell us what you need. If we haven’t got it in stock, we will try our best to get it for you.”EAST COAST DIVE SUPPLIESRURAL ROUND UPCOMING UPAlice Wilson has recently been appointed as a Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Rural Advisor in Wairoa and has been working closely with local farmers to identify needs. Alice is part of the HBRC Rural Partnerships team and will work with catchment groups and the rural community to support recovery following Cyclone Gabrielle and assist in implementing sound land management practices.Recent work has included helping to establish a new Catchment Group in Nuhaka (Nga Nuhaka), facilitating a Catchment Group start-up workshop in Tiniroto and another Catchment Group Is planned for Marumaru.Head to Gisborne on Saturday, May 25, for the Federated Farmers versus Parliament charity rugby and netball tournament. Held at the Ngatapa Sports Club, Onslow Street, Patutahi, the day will begin with a powhiri from 10am, netball from 12.30pm, and rugby kicks off at 2pm. At half time in the rugby game, a tractor and $45,000 worth of vouchers will be given away. Entry is free.Holley White, pictured, and husband Brad have added a specialised dive supply shop to their North Clyde B3 Engineering business.

For those experiencing increased anxiety since the cyclone, feelings of helplessness, frustration, anger, or worry – there is help available. You do not have to go through it alone. NFC’s counselling team is available to support the Wairoa community free of charge.Whānau don’t have to be physically affected by a natural disaster for their wellbeing to be impacted. People can access free counselling support whether they have been directly or indirectly affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. Offering confidential services from a private space on the Marine Parade, NFC offers Wairoa whānau a safe place to explore and express your thoughts and feelings with support and without judgment. Our counselling team are all registered with their professional bodies. We know seeking help can be difficult, so we aim to minimise barriers to accessing our service. No referral is needed - individuals can start the process with us by calling 0508 678 910. NEED SUPPORT? WE’RE HERETāmaki Makaurau Recovery team members, Mace Ward, Linda Greenalgh and Mat Tucker talk with Wairoa Recovery Kaimanaaki Matua Rupene Amato’s parents, Manu and Julie Amato of Crarer Street, whose house was significantly impacted by flooding.Sharing stories and comparing notes saw three members of the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery team visit Wairoa recently.While the main aim of the trip was to offer post-cyclone support, the visit also enabled the two recovery teams to share experiences.Discussions centred around Land Categorisation, flood protection, rebuilding, roading, infrastructure and general recovery.The Auckland team of Mat Tucker, Mace Ward, and Linda Greenalgh visited North Clyde homes to witness firsthand the challenges that still exist in Wairoa and offered ongoing support where possible.VISIT FROM TĀMAKI MAKAURAU RECOVERY TEAMAround 70 local flood-impacted people have been boosted by Red Cross Home Bundles.The bundles aim to support people to move back into their homes and include home essentials from kitchen appliances to bedding and furniture.Wairoa Recovery Kaimanaaki Matua Rupene Amato said the basic home bundles include whiteware, linen, towels, bedding, kitchenware, lounge, and dining furniture. “Many people lost so much in the flooding, and these bundles have been transformational in helping people set up their homes again. We are extremely grateful to the Red Cross for their support.”Applications for the bundles have now closed, and strict criteria were in place. The bundles are part of the significant support provided to Wairoa by the Red Cross. Following the devastating weather events of January and February 2023, the New Zealand Red Cross launched the New Zealand Disaster Fund to help people and communities affected by the disasters. Through donations, the Red Cross pledged over $1 million to help repair flood-damaged homes in the Wairoa area. Funding is delivered via plumbing and electrical packages for septic tank cleaning, reticulation plumbing, reinstatement of home heating, essential electrical and bathroom repairs, and the Home Bundles.RED CROSS HOME BUNDLE APPLICATIONS CLOSED

The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has shifted Wairoa’s Land Categorisation to provisional 2C from 2A. The shift is based on a shortlist of flood mitigation options being identified for Wairoa. Options are still being considered, and a preferred solution will be shared with the community for further engagement and feedback. The final flood mitigation solution may adversely impact some property owners, which requires further consideration and community consultation before a decision is made on a preferred solution.Flood mitigation work will draw on the $70 million in funding tagged by the government for Wairoa to develop flood mitigation to a 1:100-year level, which would result in shifting Wairoa’s Category 2A properties to Category 2C and, in future, Category 1. HBRC will share the preferred solution with the community for further engagement and feedback. Public presentations will include the range of options explored and the rationale behind the findings and recommendations.Final stakeholder and community preferences will then go to the Tripartite Partners, comprising Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa Trust and Wairoa District Council, with the final decision resting with the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council as the authority responsible for flood protection.Meanwhile, resolving insurance claims can be difficult, particularly for homeowners whose properties have recently shifted from Land Category 2A to 2C.If you need help with an insurance claim, the New Zealand Claims Resolution Service can help you access the services you need. They provide free advice, case management where appropriate, and access to legal, engineering, and wellbeing support tailored to individual needs. The Wairoa Recovery team is also available to help with your insurance needs. There have been cases of miscommunication and different messaging, so please feel free to reach out to the team for assistance or go to nzcrs.govt.nz for more information.If you have any questions about what the change from 2A to 2C means for you, please contact Hawke’s Bay Regional Council at project.enquiries@hbrc.govt.nz or visit the dedicated land categorisation website: http://landcathb.co.nz/LAND CATEGORISATION SHIFTThe updated map showing the Wairoa land category change from 2A to 2C.During this work, stop/stop traffic management (where traffic is held in both directions) will be in place, with 15 to 25-minute delays expected before the lanes are reopened to traffic.During the works, access will remain for emergency services – which will be assisted through the work site.Both sites were scaled for rocks following Cyclone Gabrielle. A subsequent geotechnical assessment shows more loose rock is present.NZTA thanks motorists for their support during this critical work.Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) rock scaling crews will be onsite at Devil’s Elbow and Waikoau Hill until the end of June.Road users on State Highway 2 between Wairoa and Napier are asked to plan for delays while the work takes place overnight.Work is underway at the Devil’s Elbow six days a week between 8pm and 5am. There will be no rock scaling on Saturday nights.The work at Devil’s Elbow is expected to be complete by the end of May before crews move to Waikoau Hill. Crews expect to complete the work at Waikoau Hill by the end of June.ROCK SCALING WORK ON SH2

WAIROA RECOVERYFOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT US• Online form via WDC website: www.wairoadc.govt.nz/contact-us/customer-service-request• Call free 0508 YROA4U or 0508 976248• Email recovery@wairoadc.govt.nz• In-person at the Recovery Team Office at the Wairoa Airport (end of Airport Road) our office hours are Monday to Friday 10am-2pm.• Recovery Website www.wairoarecovery.co.nzDisclaimer: The Wairoa Recovery team has made every effort to ensure that this information is as up-to-date and accurate as possible. We acknowledge this is a rapidly changing environment and the information provided should be used for general purposes only. We encourage people to seek additional information before making any business, legal or other decisions. If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact us at recovery@wairoadc.govt.nz.Ormond Rd22 May 2024Somerville St5 June 20244.30pm4.30pmTo TheTo TheBackBack8 May 2024StreetsStreetsWairoa Recoveryare heading...Tirohia FlatsMackley StFreyberg St15 May 202429 May 20244.30pm4.30pm4.30pmKAI KŌRERO KAIMANAAKIJason - 027 2004647/ Rupene 027 2986530/ Michelle 027 3739092