Act leader David Seymour and Greens co-leader Marama Davidson discuss whether people in flood-prone areas need to be moved, as well as homelessness and the bed tax. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY
Residents in the weather-hit Northland community of Whirinaki are considering moving to higher ground to avoid frequent flooding.
The small South Hokianga community was hit by more than 300mm of rain on March 25 and 26, covering the low-lying area in waist-deep water.
About 65 homes in the valley wereflooded and nine whānau could not return home, with one house later burning down in a fire suspected to have been caused by water-damaged electrics.
As the clean-up continued a month on, whānau were thinking more seriously about relocating, said Maria Barnes, a trustee of Te Hikutu Trust and representative of Te Whakarongotai Marae at Kokohuia.
Frequent flooding before the March storm meant relocation had already been discussed at an initial hui but there had been earlier resistance, she said.
The first step, which Te Hikutu Trust was considering, was setting up an emergency evacuation centre closer to Whirinaki to offer safe retreat for families, she said.
While Te Whakarongotai Marae in Ōmāpere could look after Whirinaki locals during and after the March floods, it was a 10km drive through flood- and slip-prone areas, she said.
“In future, it would be better to have something close by and available to support families,” Barnes said.
State Highway 12 through Whirinaki is usually dry (pictured left) but was turned into a river on March 26.
“We were lucky there was no loss of life in this event.”
Barnes said she was grateful whānau were happy to stay at the marae, otherwise the family whose house burned down might have been home when the fire broke out.
After the fire, Whirinaki Trust helped organise electricians to check remaining homes were safe, operations manager Veronica Wynyard said.
“They have lived here for years and years. We can’t force people out of their homes: this is all they have got.”
While discussions about moving continued, Whirinaki Trust was looking at quicker solutions to help prevent flooding.
The South Hokianga community of Whirinaki is in a valley surrounded by steep mountains but may have to move to avoid frequent flooding. Photo / Denise Piper
It was contracted by Northland Regional Council to clear Whirinaki River of giant reed – a pest plant forming dense clumps that acted like a net in catching debris, Wynyard said.
“The funding wasn’t enough to do the whole river. We didn’t realise until we started how bad it was.”
Flooding in Whirinaki would likely have been 10 times worse if there had been no giant reed clearance and the trust would like funding to clear further choke points, Wynyard said.
Support for whānau who lost everything
Meanwhile, a Givealittle page has been set up to help raise money for the Whirinaki family who lost everything in the fire after the flood.
The family have secured a home in Whangārei, 130km away, and are now trying to rebuild their lives.
The fundraiser aims to help with buying furniture, bedding, linen and basic household necessities, with more than $2000 raised so far.
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.
