'It's a little bit dire at the moment'

RELIVING THE ORDEAL: Awanui man Jeff Popata tells Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye and Northland MP Mike Sabin about the damage done at his home by last week's storm. PICTURE/PETRINA HODGSON

Pukenui Holiday Park owner Jo Kennedy was a little surprised to see a party of politicians arrive at on her doorstep on Tuesday, but she was happy to tell them how she had fared in last week's storm.

One of her tourist cabins had been damaged when a large tree fell on it, she said, but fortunately the occupants weren't there at the time.

"It's all just a little bit dire here at the moment," she said, "but there's lots to be grateful for. At least nobody up here was hurt."

The visitors were led by Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye, who was accompanied by Northland MP Mike Sabin and members of the Far North District Council and Te Hiku Community Board.

Their first call was to the Kaitaia house where Ivy Cramond was lucky to survive the enormous damage done by a macrocarpa tree that was toppled by gale-force winds on Tuesday afternoon.

Ms Kaye emphasised that the first priority was to spread the message that assistance was available via mayoral funds set up in the Far North and Whangarei, to which the government had contributed $100,000, and to urge people to ask for help if they needed it.

"It is up to the council to decide what the relief fund will be spent on," she said.

Awanui couple Jeff and Angela Popata were also visited. Their property was badly flooded, their loss including fridge load of food.

"The water was over our Red Bands [gumboots]," said Mr Popata, who, as a Kaitaia Fire Brigade volunteer, saw more of the storm than most.

"I was out on the fire truck helping other people while my home flooded. It's a matter of where do you start, you know?"

Ngataki resident Sonia Neho lost part of her veranda to the storm.

"It was scary. There are a lot of families up here that have lost food, and they have kids," she said.

"It's tough, but everyone up here manages and helps each other."

Ms Kaye and Mr Sabin also visited the Pukenui clinic of Whakawhiti Ora Pai, where everyone was busy organising bags of basic supplies like bread, toilet paper and nappies, that Civil Defence had delivered the night before for distribution to residents.

Meanwhile Ms Kaye said the government was considering a range of options to further support those affected by the storms. A $100,000 contribution would be made to a mayoral relief fund to be set up by the Far North and Whangarei District councils. Other measures could include counselling and support services.