Listening and acknowledging the Wairoa people and the enormous amount of work involved in the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery journey was the reason behind the Governor General Her Excellency the Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro’s visit to Wairoa last Thursday.

Dame Cindy and her husband, Dr Richard Davies, spent the week touring Hawke’s Bay and Tairawhiti, visiting communities affected by extreme weather events in 2023. 

Dame Cindy acknowledged that Wairoa was one of the worst-impacted communities per capita , adding that her visit was to see how things were going, acknowledge the trauma and difficulties, and see how rebuild work was progressing.

“I can imagine how hard it must be when so many aspects of life are disrupted, and I acknowledge all those who have stepped up,” she said

Dame Cindy also paid tribute to the deep roots of communities and the skill, passion and energy that helps people get through such an overwhelming task.

Mayor Craig Little described Wairoa as still suffering, particularly around roading and health, with the loss of Wairoa’s aged care facility and Idea Services and the increase in mental health particular concerns.

“We are a great community, but we have been hit hard and we are still struggling, our people are hurting. We are doing our best but we need more. Your visit brings us hope, Mr Little said to the Governor General.

Mr Little said Wairoa is still waiting for post-cyclone support from the new coalition government, with Dame Cindy committing to take the Mayor’s messages back to the Prime Minister.

Discussions included the need to rebuild in ways that recognise environmental changes, ongoing psychosocial issues caused by the cyclone, and the need for flood mitigation to help protect the Wairoa community.

The group visited the Wairoa Recovery Office, Takitimu Marae, an impacted home and met with elected members before going onto Nuhaka School where Dame Cindy addressed an assembly.

Governor General Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro and her husband Dr Richard Davies flew into Wairoa and were met by Wairoa Mayor Craig Little, Deputy Mayor Denise Eaglesome-Karekare and local kaumātua Hine Kohn.

Wairoa’s Recovery team with Governor General Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, from left, Michelle Tahuri-Olsen, Rupene Amato, Jamie Cox, Jason Hayes-Moeau, Naomi Wilson and Danielle Brown-McKenzie.

Governor General Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro presents a gift to the Wairoa Recovery Office, accepted by Michelle Tahuri-Olsen and watched on by Wairoa Mayor Craig Little.

Governor General Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro and her husband Dr Richard Davies study the photos of Cyclone Gabrielle as part of their visit to Takitimu Marae.

Governor General Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro and her husband, Dr Richard Davies, visited Julie, and Manu Amato’s flood-impacted Crarer Street Home along with Mayor Craig Little.

Governor General Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro and her husband Dr Richard Davies with Wairoa Mayor Craig Little.

25 June 2024

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