The Bay's best-known barbecue is heading home, but will be feeding Cantabrians again in the near future.
Flaxmere's Tunu Tunu (meaning "to grill"), the mobile gas griller frequently manned by Hastings District councillor Henare O'Keefe, and the man himself were on a ferry home yesterday after spending time feeding quake-hit Christchurch.
"For
me, personally, it was a very special time," said Mr O'Keefe. "Just getting around the streets to residents who have been getting no support at all - just rocking up with Tunu Tunu."
Tunu Tunu got a good reception, but the need of those on the ground in Christchurch was overwhelming, Mr O'Keefe said.
"It's not very nice at all, no power, no toilets, we were giving out candles and food. Some people haven't eaten for two days and when they tell you that you just feed them till they're full and just jam food down their jackets."
Mr O'Keefe was joined by rugby stars Rico and Hosea Gear, ex-Wairoa Mayor Derek Fox - who manned Tunu Tunu throughout the trip - and others from Maori TV show Homai Te Paki Paki.
The crew met those living in damaged homes, some with whole walls crumbled, and those living in one change of clothes without a wallet or cellphone. The quake destruction defied belief.
"It just goes on and on and on and it just makes you take a good hard look in the mirror and say 'mate, what do I have to complain about'."
A special moment during the trip was arriving in New Brighton at the same time as a container filled by Hastings Intermediate Schools.
"Here are these low decile schools and they have just given so much.
"I just want to get home now and rest up and reassess but I think I'll get back there soon."
Mr O'Keefe thanked Unison, Holcim NZ and the Hawke's Bay Maori Business Network for donating money for the trip.
