Whangārei Mayor Ken Couper says keeping the only access into Ōakura limited to locals is the right move in the fragile environment.
Communities in Ōakura, Teal Bay, Helena Bay, Whangaruru and Ngaiotonga are cut off by a huge slip on Helena Bay hill to the south, and damage to the bridge on Rāwhiti Rd at Ngaiotonga to the north.
The only access in or out is a windy, unsealed, storm-impacted track through Kaiikanui Rd and Whananaki North Rd. A checkpoint at Kaiikanui Rd will screen motorists and let only locals in.
Couper said the route has been established as an essential lifeline, but it is fragile and must be preserved for essential traffic only.
“It’s in good condition for basically a single-lane gravel road. If you meet oncoming traffic on some of those corners, it’s dangerous, especially for people not used to it,” Couper, who travelled the road with Civil Defence staff to meet with locals on Friday, said.
He had sympathy for holiday home owners who want to check their baches or local businesses struggling, but said the only access could not be compromised.
“We understand that people who own holiday homes will be keen to visit and assess them, but at this stage we must ask for your patience – only fulltime residents will be allowed through.”
The Helena Bay hill slip is “significant” and will require a complex geotechnical assessment before clearance can begin, he said.
Ōakura locals criticised civil defence personnel for arriving two days after Sunday’s disaster and leaving early on Wednesday afternoon, as the rain hit.
Couper said there was a concern that resources could be trapped in Ōakura by the rain, so a decision was made to get people out so they would be available to help dig in again the next day.
“Residents were never abandoned – it was to make sure that we could give them the full resources back when they needed it.”
Building assessments in the storm-affected area continued on Friday, with the exact number of affected buildings still unknown.
Couper said while the clean-up on the northeast coast continues, the rest of the Whangārei District is now accessible and welcoming visitors for a busy long weekend, with Auckland and Northland Anniversary Day on Monday.
Meanwhile, blankets, towels, bedding and clothes are being collected in Whangārei by Sheree Smith from Northend Contractors. She is able to send them to Ōakura on the Northend trucks, which are working on the roads.
Donations can be dropped off at the Northend yard at Winger Cres, she said.
Local Civil Defence volunteer Kylie Rogers believes the items will come in handy because most people have lost their washing machines.
She said some people had lost everything, while others had lost just their ground floor, but many were still struggling to get their homes clean and dry.
Many people in the community did not have insurance, Rogers said.
Twenty-four kai boxes have already been distributed to those in need.
Ōakura Community Hall chairman Glenn “Ferg” Ferguson said everyone has already been so generous with offers for help.
The hall was badly damaged by a slip and its future is not yet known.
He urged people who want to help to sit tight for now, until access can be given.
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.