A month after Cyclone Gabrielle and the Wairoa District Council is moving into recovery mode.

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said the Council will now move from response to recovery following the lifting of the National State of Emergency on Tuesday.

Yesterday, (15.03.23) Council appointed Benita Tahuri as the Recovery Manager for the Wairoa district. Ms Tahuri lives locally and is currently working for the Commercial Board of Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa.

Mr Little said the appointment of a local recovery manager is essential to progressing the overall recovery structure. “It is great to have a local person on the ground. Benita will be working alongside Council/iwi and other agencies to assist in the recovery of the district, and I have total faith in her abilities. Benita is a Wairoa person who has a great rapport with people, both in and out of the district, and her appointment will be amazing for our districtwide recovery.

“The impact of Cyclone Gabrielle has been described as one of the worst storms to hit New Zealand and the effect of this event is going to have a long-lasting effect across the district and region.

Ensuring we have a strong and united approach to our recovery is critical to how we respond together to our future.

“Our recovery will be Wairoa-led and iwi partnered where the work we do will respond specifically to our unique Wairoa needs. We have a long road of recovery ahead of us and I look forward to joining with our community to rebuild.”

16 March 2023

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