NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / New Zealand

Rotorua floods: 'We're definitely coming back here' says resident

Zizi Sparks
By Zizi Sparks
Multimedia journalist·Rotorua Daily Post·
2 May, 2018 08:29 PM4 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Miriam Hewson says the family doesn't expect to be back in their house till summer.

"We're definitely coming back here. There's no question about that."

That's the message from defiant flood victims in Ngongotaha who say it won't deter them from living there.

Miriam Hewson and her husband bought a house on Oakland Place roughly two years ago.

They weren't home when the flood waters started rising but returned on Sunday evening to find they couldn't access their house.

"I drove up on to Hill Rd and all I could see was the house down there, and it was just a big lake," Hewson said.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Miriam Hewson says the family doesn't expect to be back in their house till summer. PHOTO/BEN FRASER
Miriam Hewson says the family doesn't expect to be back in their house till summer. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

The next day when the family returned, the water had drained away leaving mud and silt behind.

Three days later, the house has been cleared, carpets are being pulled up and the insurance claim process is under way.

"It got everywhere, into the kitchen cupboards, the kids' rooms and toys," Hewson said.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Over the next few months, the house will have to be pulled apart and put back together.

The gib is useless, the carpets were soaked, muddy water got into the plumbing and the kitchen needs replacing.

"People say that teaches you for building in a swamp but the water came from the river not the ground."

Steve Brake says he wouldn't consider living anywhere else. Photo/Ben Fraser
Steve Brake says he wouldn't consider living anywhere else. Photo/Ben Fraser

Western Rd has in previous years been the subject of controversy due to land subsidence issues, however the council has said Sunday's floods were unprecedented.

Discover more

New Zealand

Rotorua floods: State of Emergency declared in Ngongotaha

29 Apr 09:00 AM
New Zealand

Rotorua flood clean-up begins

30 Apr 03:18 AM
New Zealand

School closed because of damage to bridge

29 Apr 10:33 PM
New Zealand

Mayor and Civil Defence Minister questioned over floods

30 Apr 03:14 AM

"No one can get over how quick this was, how tumultuous it was. We know that we got 1.5 times the national average of rainfall in a day .... you can't see that deluge of water and the effects in a caldera like this," mayor Steve Chadwick said this week.

"The council cannot stop the volume of water that was unleashed on this district."

Hewson said they had been told it would take three or four months to repair the house, but they did not expect to be back until summer.

"It's definitely not easy, at the end of the day it's just stuff. We're all safe," Hewson said.

"We wouldn't go anywhere else. We love it here, and everyone we talk to says the same. We're definitely coming back here. There's no question about that.

"Our community was pretty tight before but it's going to be even tighter now."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Hewson hoped the council would do something about the stream so the same did not happen again.

Steve Brake owns two houses in Ngongotaha. He said he went outside on Sunday and saw the waters rapidly rising.

A truck broke down in the waters and Brake helped pull the occupants to safety.

"The water broke and we had no warning," his wife Raelene Brake said. "We came out to look and it was coming up within minutes."

Brake said the shed at one of the houses was most affected by the flooding with the contents covered in mud.

He was amazed the water rose as far as it did.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"On Sunday night we slept at home. Every now and then I'd put my foot down and touch the carpet to check, yup it's still dry."

Flooding in Rotorua. Cormac Davis, 12, .  Moncur Dr. Photo/Ben Fraser
Flooding in Rotorua. Kuirau Park.  Photo/Ben Fraser
Flooding in Rotorua. Rotorua Boys' High School. Photo/Ben Fraser
Flooding in Rotorua. Tony McClaughlin. Moncur dr.  Photo/Ben Fraser
Flooding in Rotorua. Bryce Morrison. Waikite clubrooms. Photo/Ben Fraser
Flooding in Rotorua. Tarewa Rd. Photo/Ben Fraser
Flooding in Rotorua. Lake Rd. Photo/Ben Fraser
Flooding in Rotorua. Kaylee Browne outside her home on Lake Rd. Photo/Ben Fraser
Flooding in Rotorua. Lakefront.  Photo/Ben Fraser
Flooding in Rotorua. Tarewa Rd.  Photo/Ben Fraser
Flooding in Rotorua. Te Ngae Rd. Photo/Ben Fraser
Flooding in Rotorua. Byron Grove. Photo/Ben Fraser
Flooding in Rotorua. Kaylee Browne inside her home on Lake Rd. Photo/Ben Fraser
Flooding on Pioneer Rd in Ngongotaha.  Photo/Ben Fraser
Flooding on Pioneer Rd in Ngongotaha. Photo/Ben Fraser
Flooding on Pioneer Rd in Ngongotaha. Photo/Ben Fraser
Flooding on Western Rd.  Photo/Ben Fraser
Flooding on Pioneer Rd. Photo/Ben Fraser
Flooding on Pioneer Rd.  Photo/Ben Fraser
Flooding at the Agrodome.   Photo/Ben Fraser
Flooding at Agrodome. Photo/Ben Fraser
Flooding on Elizabeth St.   Photo/Ben Fraser
Flooding on Elizabeth St.   Photo/Ben Fraser
Savannah Rogers, 11. Flooding in Ngongotaha. Photo/Stephen Parker
Savannah Rogers, 11. Flooding in Ngongotaha. Photo/Stephen Parker
Brooke Ellis with her children Lexus Rogers, 8, and Savannah Rogers, 11. Flooding in Ngongotaha. Photo/Stephen Parker
Elke Semple. Life Pharmacy. Flooding.Photo/Stephen Parker
Civil Defence controller Bruce Horne, Minister of Civil Defence Kris Faafoi and Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick at a press stand up in Ngongotaha. Photo/Stephen Parker
Debbie Parry, right and Alison. Flooding in Ngongotaha.  Photo/Stephen Parker
Flooding in Ngongotaha. Photo/Stephen Parker
Flooding in Ngongotaha. Photo/Stephen Parker
Flooding in Ngongotaha. Photo/Stephen Parker
Troy Parry. Flooding in Ngongotaha. Photo/Stephen Parker
Flooding in Ngongotaha. Photo/Stephen Parker
Heidi Te Are. Flooding in Ngongotaha. Photo/Stephen Parker
Jenny Pollard beside her caravan which had been moved by flooding in Ngongotaha. Photo/Stephen Parker
John Healey's flooded house in Ngongotaha. Photo/Stephen Parker
John Healey's flooded house in Ngongotaha. Photo/Stephen Parker
Flooding clean-up in Ngongotaha. Alex Cookson and Glenn Armstrong. Photo/Stephen Parker
Craig Kusabs, left, and Colin Tremain. Tumunui tomo that formed on farmland. The hole on Tumunui South Farm is 200m long and 20m deep. Photo/Stephen Parker
Matt Ward at his property in Paradise Valley. Flooding clean-up. Photo/Stephen Parker-
Colin Tremain, left, and Craig Kusabs. Tumunui tomo that formed on farmland. The hole on Tumunui South Farm is 200m long and 20m deep. Photo/Stephen Parker
Daniel Voss. Flooding clean-up in Ngongotaha. Photo/Stephen Parker -
Kjell and Rebecca Gudmundsen. Flooding clean-up in Ngongotaha. Photo/Stephen Parker
Peter Spencer says this drain should have been clearing water, instead it's where the flood waters came from. Flooding clean-up in Ngongotaha. Photo/Stephen Parker
Craig Kusabs, left, and Colin Tremain. Tumunui tomo that formed on farmland. The hole on Tumunui South Farm is 200m long and 20m deep.Photo/Stephen Parker
Flooding clean-up on Brookdale Drive in Ngongotaha. Photo/Stephen Parker
Craig Kusabs, left, and Colin Tremain. Tumunui tomo that formed on farmland. The hole on Tumunui South Farm is 200m long and 20m deep. Photo/ Stephen Parker
Steve Brake says he wouldn't consider living anywhere else.  Photo/Ben Fraser
Miriam Hewson says the family doesn't expect to be back in their Oakland Pl house till summer.  Photo/Ben Fraser
Male lion Xander had a bit of fun in his enclosure's new water feature, leaping to an "island" at Paradise Valley Springs. PHOTO / SUPPLIED
Rotorua Duck Tours help.
Medical Officer of Health for Toi Te Ora Public Health Dr Phil Shoemack, (right), and Acting Civil Defence controller Bruce Horne have delivered a flood recovery update from the Rotorua Lakes Council .

Image 1 of 61: Flooding in Rotorua. Cormac Davis, 12, . Moncur Dr. Photo/Ben Fraser

But despite the floods, Brake wouldn't consider living anywhere else.

"I love it here. I was brought up down the road.

"We knew this was swamp but that's not the problem. It's the river. I hope they do something about that.

"There are a lot of nosey people but all the neighbours, they've got their own stuff to do but they've come around and said 'do you need a hand'."

The council is working to clean up affected areas by the end of the week. The clean-up includes street and footpath sweeping and checking and clearing cesspits.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
A relief fund has been set up for those affected by the storm.
A relief fund has been set up for those affected by the storm.

A relief fund is being set up for community donations to the residents affected by Sunday's flooding.

In the meantime, a holding account has been made for anyone who would like to make donations specifically for that fund.

Donations can be made to the bank account number below or in person at the front desk at the Rotorua Lakes Council building (1061 Haupapa St) between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

Details for donations:
Account number: 02-0412-0234516-006
How: Direct Credit or in person at Rotorua Lakes Council building

The council's Civil Defence welfare team is continuing to speak with affected residents to assess their needs.

The council was not aware of any goods that were required but we encourage people to call the council's customer centre on (07) 348 4199 if they would like to offer help of any sort.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Save

    Share this article

Latest from New Zealand

New Zealand

Court backs sacking of Northland doctor who sent 'flirty texts' to junior

06 Jul 09:13 PM
New Zealand

Who is Miss Universe New Zealand 2025?

Opinion

NZ Herald comments: The stories open for discussion today

06 Jul 09:05 PM

There’s more to Hawai‘i than beaches and buffets – here’s how to see it differently

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

Court backs sacking of Northland doctor who sent 'flirty texts' to junior

Court backs sacking of Northland doctor who sent 'flirty texts' to junior

06 Jul 09:13 PM

The sexual harassment investigation led to the doctor taking 10 months' stress leave.

Who is Miss Universe New Zealand 2025?

Who is Miss Universe New Zealand 2025?

NZ Herald comments: The stories open for discussion today

NZ Herald comments: The stories open for discussion today

06 Jul 09:05 PM
Leaked memo reveals bed cuts in Wellington maternity wards

Leaked memo reveals bed cuts in Wellington maternity wards

06 Jul 08:42 PM
From early mornings to easy living
sponsored

From early mornings to easy living

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP