A pensioner who could only watch helplessly as his home of 25 years burned down has moved into a new house with help from volunteers and Bay of Islands businesses.
Don Speake was playing bowls at Waipapa Hall on June 3 when his home across the road caught fire. Firefighters saved his shed but could not save his home, leaving him with little more than the clothes he was wearing. The cause was traced to an electrical fault.
Mr Speake, who has also battled serious health problems in recent years, was insured but the payout was not enough to replace his home or possessions.
Bowling club friends stepped in to find the 72-year-old a place to stay, clothing and furniture. Mr Speake managed to buy a former construction firm's office with his insurance, and a band of volunteers set about turning it into a home. He moved in late last week and thanked his helpers with a barbecue on Tuesday. Mr Speake described the community's effort as "bloody incredible".
"I expected a few people might help out, but nothing like this."