Seeking Cyclone Gabrielle superheroes

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

Nominations are open until January 15, for next year’s Superhero Awards – a new award for those people who went above and beyond during Cyclone Gabrielle.

“It’s been a tough year for our communities,” Mayor Rehette Stoltz said.

“As we near the one-year anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle, we felt it was time to reflect on the year that was and show Tairāwhiti some love.

“Nominees will be considered for this special awards ceremony to acknowledge the outstanding acts of those who helped our community get through.

“We want to recognise the selfless people in your neighbourhood, local organisations or community groups that went above and beyond to help, support or contribute during the cyclone response between February 13 and March 14, 2023.”

Mayor Stoltz said the Superhero Awards will be part of a broader campaign the council would be running next year called For Tairāwhiti with Love.

“Because the one-year anniversary falls on Valentine’s Day, we wanted to use that to try to bring some aroha to all our residents.

“This campaign will bring out our Superheroes.

“There’ll be a digital campaign, where we will encourage people from across the country to send in messages of support for our region. Our community will be able to view them on an interactive online forum called Participate on the council’s website.

“There’ll also be a historical keepsake — a booklet delivered to every household about what happened in our region.

“For the one-year anniversary, a team of writers is documenting stories from people across the region, which will be printed with a timeline of the historic event we all went through.

“We want to ensure that we mark the significance of a year and continue our journey to healing our people.”

Nominations are open now until January 15 2024. The Superhero Awards evening will be held on Thursday February 15.

To nominate your Superheroes of Cyclone Gabrielle from now until January 15, head to gdc.govt.nz.