Woolshed whakawhanaungatanga on the Coast

Broken Bridge BBQ gatherings have brought together communities isolated by damaged infrastructure after Cyclone Gabrielle. The second such get-together (above) was at the woolshed at Makarika Station. Picture by Sam Gibson

Connecting with people living in rural and isolated communities is the goal of a series of community events organised by Ngāti Porou Oranga.

The Broken Bridge BBQ initiative  involves classic get-togethers in a woolshed, with kai, laughter and overall whakawhanaungatanga for a region still recovering from the impact of cyclones Hale and Gabrielle at the beginning of the year.

The first was at Huiarua Station at the beginning of the month. The main access bridge to the property is completely missing with no fix in sight.

The second was at the woolshed on Makarika Station, off State Highway 35 before Ruatōrea. The Makarika bridge is permanently closed — one section needs structural replacement and the piles are severely damaged.

Lending their  names and presence to the get-togethers are local identities Tui Keenan and Sam (the Trap Man) Gibson.  Tui Keenan promotes hunting and wellbeing, and Sam works to help protect the environment and people’s wellbeing.

“These events are about bringing the community together in a place where it’s relaxed and is about them,” said Ngāti Porou Oranga director of health Sonya Smith.

“We  came up with the idea  because there are rural communities who are still disconnected due to broken bridges. So we wanted to show them there are people out there who care about them and who want to help.

“Bringing in Sam and the Landcare Trust and Tui Keenan from Hunting with Tui gave a hook to get people out and they both work in support spaces for farmers and whānau,” she said.

“Collectively we cover our region and we are all able to share good examples of rural communities’ projects post-cyclone that show benefits,” Sonya said.

These events are a chance to connect, eat kai, enjoy some banter and get some cool giveaways.

Tui Keenan said she got involved with this kaupapa as she lives near a broken bridge at Huiarua Station right next door to Mata School.

“It’s impacted my life and everyone is just doing the do without anyone knowing what we do.

“I really love Sonya’s heart for the Coast community. It’s really nice to see this manaaki from her and I connected with her vision of supporting these backyard communities,” Tui said.

At the Makarika event on Friday the woolshed was “pumping” with around 60 there, including tamariki.

People who attended also shared stories about the woolshed. Some remembered starting their mahi in the shed years ago and had not been back in decades.

Broken Bridge BBQs are being planned in consultation with the Tauwhareparae community and the Waikura Valley.