Cyclone Gabrielle one year on

Last year, CCS Disability Action carried out research under the guidance of Te Weu Tairāwhiti, talking with disabled people about the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle. The findings were presented on the one year anniversary of the cyclone and are available here: Click to download report.

The event, part of Ka Mua Ka Muri, was hosted by our Tairāwhiti Hawkes Bay branch. Staff and members of the public, including the disabled people who participated, attended. Also present were local MPs and the Mayor. Te Weu's hour-long presentation was followed by a free lunch, and many meaningful conversations unfolded.

Ngā mihi to general manager Colene Herbert and the Tairāwhiti team, everyone who attended, and those involved in carrying out this important mahi.

Local service manager Katie Mackey shares an update:

The 14th of February is a significant date of love for many, but to the regions who were severely affected by Cyclone Gabrielle, the 14th will forever be a reminder of what occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

12 months on, our region is still littered with the scarring Gabrielle unleashed on us. Roading will take years to repair or replace, homes across Tairāwhiti and Hawkes Bay lie empty and broken, massive piles of silt still sit along state highways 2 and 35. Some rural communities are slowly rebuilding, some are eerie and empty.

The sound of rain puts most people on edge. Slash litters our beaches after a night of heavy rain.

Some families are still living in Marae, camping grounds and motels. Some are still being housed by whānau. Some have left the region.

Cyclone Gabrielle showed us that no matter how prepared you can be, the wrath of nature will test your preparedness and resilience.

Our communities came together when there were no power, phones, internet, food, water. We all supported one another the best way we could.

He aha te mea nui, te mea nui o tenei ao?
Māku e kī atu kia koe
He tangata, He tangata.

What is the most important thing in this world?
Let me tell you,
It is people, it is people.