Local saints pitch in for the neighbours

By ELIZABETH BINNING

When flooding hit Awatapu in the early hours of the morning, Larry Dixon's first concern was for his neighbours.

A week and a half on, the resident of Ratima Place in Whakatane is still looking out for his neighbours, many of whom have been unable to return to their sodden homes.

In the wake of the disaster, Mr Dixon and friend Joy Hastie have become the local street saints - collecting mail, washing school uniforms, opening and closing windows and generally keeping a close eye on homes vacated by devastated residents.

"We all pitch in for one another and help each other as much as we can."

Like hundreds of other residents, Mr Dixon and Ms Hastie were evacuated with little warning when 250mm of rain fell in 48 hours in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

After ensuring that everyone else had left, the couple were taken to an evacuation hall, as floodwaters crept up the steps to their home.

It was three days before the water had receded enough for them to return.

Mr Dixon and Ms Hastie discovered their home had been spared by a matter of centimetres, but a car and all items in their garage had been destroyed.

They were the lucky ones. The homes of at least half a dozen neighbours at the end of their cul-de-sac were badly damaged.

Water had entered some houses up to a metre deep.

During the clean-up, as distraught neighbours started salvaging what they could, Ms Hastie did 17 loads of washing to ensure local children had clean and dry clothes to wear to school.

Mr Dixon cooked meals and served coffee to neighbours who were ripping sodden carpets from their floors and damp Pink Batts from the walls.

This week, the couple have taken on the role of local security guards, watching over vacant homes, airing them during the day and opening doors for builders, tradesmen or media.

It is a role they are happy to hold until their neighbours are back in their refurbished homes - whenever that may be.

"You just do it for your friends and neighbours," said Mr Dixon. "What else can you do?"