Flood-stricken kayak club on the mend rebuild

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

The that was set up to support the Poverty Bay and Hawke's Bay kayak clubs had - as of 12.45pm today - raised $3700 as club members continued to repair their cyclone-damaged building at Anzac Park.

Canoe Racing NZ would be contributing another $2000 on top of the Givealittle fundraiser.

“We are all aware the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle on the Gisborne community has been devastating,” a club spokesperson said.

“The damage caused to Anzac Park, the Waimata River, our club building, boats and equipment has been immense.”

Floodwaters inundated the park area around the club, far exceeding the flood levels of Cyclone Bola.

“Our paddling community is highly motivated as well as volunteering to help members and others who suffered loss and damage to homes during the cyclone.

“We have quickly made urgent repairs to our club building.

“We have been able to frame and enclose the back wall, instal a new roller door, a new security lock, electrical fittings and repair plumbing at the club's cost and through voluntary labour from our members.

“Our pontoon was put in place of the jetty that was lost during the cyclone, so our members are able to paddle their own boats that were not lost and a few of the boats that were safe from the floodwaters.

“Unfortunately, we are not able to paddle from Anzac Park for now as the Gisborne District Council has closed access until the silt has been safely removed.

“Instead, we are travelling to a private lake we have been allowed to use on a temporary basis,” the spokesperson said.

“We are hoping to obtain funding from other providers to repair boats that can be salvaged and replace the lost jetty and dinghy.

“The benefits to our tamariki to remain active and to the community's wellbeing to have continued access to the sport of kayaking is more important than ever in times like this.”