“Since the cyclone” has become part of the vernacular for Hawke’s Bay folk. It’s difficult not to compare life now with what it was before Gabrielle.
I’m one of the lucky ones. The roof of my business premises leaked. I called a tradie, not expecting a response, but a cheerful bloke called around that day to make the room waterproof. He told me there wouldn’t be an invoice. “It’s not about money at the moment.”
Kiwis selflessly dug deep into their pockets to raise millions of dollars, very quickly, for desperately needed disaster relief. That money helped in practical ways and every single one of us in the Bay felt the aroha and support.
I still pinch myself that my business premises and my home were practically unscathed. It was clear we were the lucky ones.
But now, it feels as if the luck has run out. Visitors are giving Hawke’s Bay a big swerve after the cyclone and that is hurting us all. For many business owners, including me, it’s verging on fatal.
I wish I could cut through whatever perceptions, subconscious or otherwise, exist in people’s minds. The Bay is not closed for business, nor is it in some kind of apocalyptic state. I’d like to show other New Zealanders what I see as I drive around Hastings and Napier – most homes and businesses are sparkling in the sun. People are bustling about. It looks normal.
But under the surface, the struggle continues. Recently, I wanted to go to my favourite restaurant in Napier and found it had closed its doors, after 26 years. A pharmacy in Hastings has also shut down. Down the road, the coffee cart has disappeared. I loved their flat whites. I wonder what happened to the family who ran it.
There are many more businesses dropping like flies. It hurts me to hear the stories, the desperation in people’s voices, the tears welling in their eyes as they share the latest grim news. It’s almost too much to bear and recently, I decided I couldn’t stand to hear any more bad news. It was easier to not know and make like an ostrich. Ignorance is bliss, but it’s also the problem. People wince internally at the mere mention of our beautiful Hawke’s Bay. We are synonymous with disaster, and that makes people feel powerless. Beyond their donations, other New Zealanders feel there’s nothing more they can do. But that’s where they’re wrong. They can book a wedding or plan a holiday, visit our beaches and vineyards, drink world-class wine and eat at our restaurants, or take in the views from Te Mata Peak.
We need you here and want your business. We want you to realise that we are open and trading.
I met my accountant the other day for one of those meetings. The time for emergency planning and damage control is over, he said. Now it’s time to take a realistic view of what we can and can’t do after the cyclone. It’s all about the numbers, which don’t lie. I stared down the barrel of losing my dream business for a minute there until I got angry. I was determined not to let that happen. My premises are still standing, my highly qualified, valuable staff are still with me and I refuse to go down the gurgler.
It will take years for things to get back to normal for our growers. For people who’ve lost everything, that may never happen. But many other businesses are still here, ready and waiting with doors open. Help us keep them open by coming through them. Help us to stand strong and keep our businesses viable. Help us to make “after the cyclone” the new start we all deserve and need.
Elaine Atkinson is the founder of Ocean Hills Detox & Rehabilitation, a private residential centre specialising in alcohol and other drugs.
