Stuff Digital Edition

Cyclone victims blindsided

Andrea Vance

A month ago Pakowhai people were plucked from rooftops as swirling floodwaters destroyed their homes and livelihoods and threatened their lives.

Now, they are facing a new trauma, worried that the Government and local authorities are about to red zone their settlement.

The tight-knit Hawke’s Bay community was blindsided during a community meeting last week to discuss the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.

Many living in the northern parts of Pakowhai were planning to stay and rebuild – and had already begun work to restore their land and prepare their homes for demolition.

A resident of 23 years said she was shocked to hear from local MP Anna Lorck that managed retreat – the process of moving people away from areas at-risk from extreme weather events – was on the table.

‘‘Once those two words – red zone – were said to me, I just went into a frenzy. My whole life is now totally upside down,’’ she said.

‘‘I hadn’t even contemplated it. I’d assumed I would rebuild. I’d started spending money on diggers, getting my paddocks up and running, fixing fences and making plans until we could move back properly.

‘‘I was on track to rebuild and maybe be back living on my property in 18 months. All of a sudden I’m in limbo. What do we do now?’’

Pakowhai was inundated by flooding from the nearby Tutaekuri and Ngaruroro rivers. Dozens of houses were destroyed.

The woman, who spent eight, freezing hours on her roof waiting for rescue with her neighbours and pets, watched as four-metre-high waters engulfed her home, a tenant’s cottage and her land. She also lost a flock of more than 100 sheep during February’s storm.

Since the floods she’s spent back-breaking days, helped by friends and volunteers, stripping out the two dwellings to stop toxic mould setting in, and clearing silt.

She wants to remain anonymous – but is asking the Government to be upfront.

‘‘Be transparent so that we know where we’re at. We can stop making plans for our properties.

‘‘We want to know who makes that decision and when it gets made.’’

Currently living with friends, she doesn’t know whether to start looking for permanent accommodation nor how to deal with her insurance claims.

Troy Duncan rescued many of his stricken neighbours in an inflatable boat after the Tutaekuri burst the stopbank.

His family home of eight years has been yellow-stickered. His elderly parents have also lost their home, and with it the building his brother used to run a business.

Duncan is most worried about delays and a drawn-out decision-making process.

His message to authorities is to ‘‘hurry up’’ and not spend too much time talking.

The residents are in the process of forming a community group and want to know how local voices will be represented on the Government’s recovery taskforce, led by Sir Brian Roche.

Another neighbour, who didn’t want to be named, said she was now in a ‘‘stalemate’’ with her insurance company.

She would like officials to be upfront about the criteria for red-zoning and a timeline.

‘‘They won’t want to get it wrong, because they’re dealing with people’s livelihoods. It’s not an easy road, but they don’t seem to want to tell us anything.’’

At the meeting, Lorck told residents it was a ‘‘tough decision to make’’.

‘‘I can’t give you that decision today. It’s not mine to make . . . But I will get the message through that you want it soon.’’

Cyclone Recovery Minister Grant Robertson said no decisions have been made about the future of flood-affected properties and land.

The taskforce will carry out rapid risk assessments to help decision-making, he said.

‘‘We understand the pressure that people are feeling, and we will move as quickly as we can. We will confirm the timeframe for the assessment process as soon as we can.’’

Stuff contacted a Government press secretary requesting comment from Lorck. She did not respond.

News

en-nz

2023-03-20T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-03-20T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/281578064901195

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