Events mark day of remembrance

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Karakia and events were held across Tairāwhiti today to mark Cyclone Gabrielle. 

Exactly one year ago, people in Te Karaka were having to run for the hills to find higher ground as water raged through the community, destroying homes and changing people’s lives forever.

The East Coast was cut off from Gisborne city and communication was lost for many.

At 5am today, the Te Karaka community came together at Te Karaka Area School to commemorate the day with a karakia and breakfast that included Puha, Whatatutu and Branson and Lavenham roads residents.

A siren sounded at 5am followed by prayer officiated by Reverend Rawinia Douglas, Kelly Kiwha and Morehu Pewhairangi.

Breakfast was provided afterwards.

Te Karaka community leader Pimia Wehi said this was an opportunity for the community to come together to reflect on what happened a year ago.

Meanwhile, in Gisborne, a community karakia was held at Marina Park at 7am.

It was organised by Mahi a Atua and Horouta Waka Hoe with support from Te Aka Whaiora and Gisborne District Council.

Mark Kopua started the karakia at 7am and it was followed by kōrero, a sausage sizzle and live music by Whirimako Black.

Mr Kopua said a year on, many people were still struggling with issues like insurance and housing.

“We wanted to have commemorations for the event the whole community had to endure. The community was disconnected from outside,” Mr Kopua said.

“The Tairāwhiti community had the ability to endure and pull together.

“The event is about remembering the devastation but also celebrating the community’s endurance and ability to come together.”

Up State Highway 35, an event named Whakanuia was organised by Huarahi Pai Whānau services for  those in Rangitukia and Tikitiki.

Whakanuia means to commemorate or reflect.

A karakia at 8:30am was followed by a remembrance hīkoi that started at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori Tapere-Nui-A Whatonga and was followed by a tree-planting ceremony at Kahukura Park.

From 11am to 2pm, activities were planned at Pae-o-Te-Riri School in Tikitiki and featured entertainment, spot prizes and a hāngī.

Anne Huriwai, on behalf of the community,  thanked the sponsors — Trust Tairāwhiti, Te Whatu Ora and Eastern and Central Community Trust.

“For us here in Waiapu, Whakanuia is a day of remembering not only Gabrielle but Bola, which hit us hard,” Ms Huriwai said.

“Thirty-six years on nearly to the day, our people still remember this time because it devastated our community.

“Today we show our gratitude for each other and celebrate our resilience and our togetherness as the people of Waiapu.”

Futher south to Wairoa,  a memorial 1.8km hīkoi and commemoration service started at 6am at Ruataniwha Road and ended at Memorial Park, Tapuae.