Cyclone Gabrielle crime: Hawke’s Bay village Puketapu forms blockades; gunshots reported in Maraenui

Several roadblocks have been in place around a rural Hawke’s Bay village under threat from looters - and residents manning them appear to have the blessing of police and the Defence Force.

There are rising tensions in some parts of Hawke’s Bay as police send in reinforcements amid fears that opportunist criminals could take advantage of power-less suburbs and empty homes. In one incident last night, three people, including an 18-year-old, were arrested after police responded to reports of gunshots in Kelvin Rd, Maraenui. There were no injuries and police say inquiries are continuing.

In the village of Puketapu, it is understood two police officers came to speak with residents after the Herald revealed locals were planning to install roadblocks or checkpoints overnight to deter looters.

Five people in a silver ute were found looting a property on Friday night, putting already stressed residents under more pressure in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle. The incident prompted fears from some residents people would arm themselves in case more looters came.

The Herald understands officers told residents the checkpoints could be installed as long as no firearms were involved. It was also believed some personnel from the Defence Force were assisting with a checkpoint near Rissington.

When visited by the Herald on Saturday night, the checkpoints comprised a large truck in the centre of the road with lights flashing and concrete blocks on either side to stop people skirting around the roadside.

One of several roadblocks in place around the wider Puketapu area and residents manning them appear to have the blessings of police and the Defence Force. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The number of people manning the checkpoints varied.

One person at one checkpoint told the Herald he had turned away three cars in just 15 minutes but none had been aggressive.

It is also understood that once word got out that the checkpoints were being installed, residents from surrounding areas also volunteered to help.

Several roadblocks are in place around the wider Puketapu area after fears of looting. Photo / Mark Mitchell

It comes as police earlier urged residents not to use firearms or create roadblocks, saying more officers would be deployed in the hope it limits the “abhorrent” crime reported to police since Gabrielle landed.

Those in attendance at the community meeting on Saturday had agreed to install roadblocks with concrete barriers on several access points into the village.

Locals also voiced their concern that people would start carrying weapons if the looting continued.

“People are going to arm themselves,” one resident said.

Police, who earlier told the Herald more officers would be patrolling the area on Saturday night, have warned people against carrying firearms.

“We’d remind people that activity like arming yourself puts you, the community and others at potential risk, and you could risk criminal charges,” a police spokesperson said.

About 50 locals gathered for a community meeting in Puketapu to discuss looters. Photo / Mike Scott

They also advised against creating roadblocks, saying those would impede emergency responders.

“Likewise, blocking accessways could harm people if emergency services do not have free access to these areas.”

The spokesperson said police understood the frustration in the community and that officers had engaged with the community to reassure people sufficient resources would be provided.

“The Police Eagle helicopter will also be flying above the district, helping our officers on the ground.”

In a statement, Eastern District commander Superintendent Jeanette Park said she would not tolerate people preying on affected communities.

“If anyone takes advantage of other people’s misery during this crisis, our officers will investigate. Targeting people in a crisis is abhorrent and we’re not tolerating it.”

Police have been monitoring queues for food, fuel and cash since Cyclone Gabrielle hit. Photo / George Heard

More than 100 additional officers had been brought into the district, including to areas that have been cut off.

”People are hurting, many are still without power, and some are unable to go home,” Park said.

“Part of our response is being on the streets and in vulnerable areas, deterring the people who want to take advantage of this disaster.”

She urged people to report crime if they witnessed it. Park also encouraged those who had not yet reported themselves as safe to do so as soon as possible through the Registering I’m Alive online form.

Puketapu and the surrounding areas were among the worst hit by Cyclone Gabrielle on Tuesday, with countless homes, vehicles, orchards, and businesses destroyed by floodwaters from various overflowing rivers.

Yesterday, the village learned one of their own had perished in the cyclone - 59-year-old mother Marie Greene, who was reportedly found deceased in the roof cavity of her Dartmoor Rd cottage.

Residents told the Herald around five people in a silver, flat-deck ute were found looting a property along Puketapu Rd about 9pm yesterday. They scarpered as locals approached and it was unclear whether anything was stolen.

“The looting’s going to get quite scary,” Puketapu Hotel owner Mary Danielson predicted. “It’s not people around here, no way.”

Mary Danielson has owned the Puketapu Hotel for 17 years. Photo / Mark Mitchell

At the meeting, security was the central issue after Friday night’s incident, and it was proposed roadblocks be erected and manned through the night by members of the community.

“We just need people for security at nights,” one person said.

Two people were appointed to list those who were willing to patrol the roadblocks.

Another man, who arrived shortly after the meeting began, said he had spoken with emergency response representatives, expressing the community’s need for security, but said it was unlikely help in that form would come from the army or police.

“My message to [one emergency service person] was, ‘We cleared the roads, so we can block them’.”

He proposed that concrete blocks should be placed on the road edge with a truck or tractor parked in between. The man indicated he had already sourced some blocks already.

Many people were in favour of the idea, which was put to a vote. The frustration and stress caused by the cyclone and then the looting was palpable.

One man suggested installing an evening curfew, but that was quickly dismissed as others explained that trips into town were becoming more regular as power was slowly restored to Napier, and stocks of essentials were running low.