‘Our scars are still very raw’ — Wairoa Mayor Craig Little

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

Today’s one-year anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle should be a time for reflection, says Wairoa Mayor Craig Little .

Wairoa was badly affected by flooding in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, and was cut off for several days.

“On February 14, 2023, Wairoa, and the Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti regions, faced unprecedented losses from Cyclone Gabrielle,” Mr Little said.

“The one-year anniversary is a time to reflect on the tremendous impacts of this disaster, particularly the loss of lives.

“In Wairoa, our scars are still very raw, and our rebuilding is challenging.

“We still have over a hundred homes that are yellow-stickered and hundreds of displaced whānau and a huge amount of work to be done to return people to their homes and restore our district.

“Wairoa’s strength is its community, and I acknowledge all those people who are supporting our journey to recovery.

“February 14, 2024, is a time to reflect on Cyclone Gabrielle by remembering and learning from the past while also moving forward and acknowledging the progress that we have made.”