Focus goes on region's recovery after heavy rain

DAWN OF A NEW DAY: Fog rolls across the ocean at Wainui at first light today, heralding a new day in a region climbing back to its feet after being hard-hit by Mother Nature. The state of emergency status in Tairāwhiti was lifted this morning as the response moved into full recovery mode following the rain-battering the district copped, resulting in flooding, evacuations and severe damage to land and infrastructure. Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz acknowledged it had been a tough time intensified by the Covid-19 situation. She praised the efforts of emergency workers and asked for patience as the work to reconnect the region continues. Picture by Ben Cowper

The state of civil defence emergency declared at the height of the heavy rain a week ago ended at 10.30am today.

The decision was made by Tairāwhiti Civil Defence group controller David Wilson in consultation with Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz.

It was agreed that with the weather abating it was time to make the shift.

“There is still plenty going on across the region but it is now time to move our focus into the recovery phase,” Mayor Stoltz said.

The weather event led to the declaration of a state of emergency in the early hours of March 23 and it was extended on Tuesday this week.

Mayor Stoltz said it had been a tough time for many across Tairāwhiti, with record rainfall, rivers reaching levels that required evacuations and a huge amount of damage on the roads and to properties.

“I ask that people be patient while our contractors continue their work to reconnect our region.”

Council chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann said although the state of emergency had been lifted there was still support for communities across Tairāwhiti should they need it.

“We have a lot of work ahead of us yet.

“There is a huge amount of clean-up to be done which will require people power and machinery — some of which may need to come from outside the district.”

She estimated the full recovery of the region could take up to 24 months.

“The wide-ranging extent of the damage to the region and the effect this event has had on critical infrastructure, bridges, roads and properties makes it very challenging.”

Ms Thatcher Swann said she was hopeful the region would receive government funding to help with the rebuild.

“Our prioritisation process will be critical to ensure we are able to restore access first, temporarily, and then come through with more permanent solutions.”

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