It has been two years since Cyclone Gabrielle carved a path of utter destruction through New Zealand, claiming 11 people’s lives. Many more narrowly escaped or were rescued after being stranded in rapidly rising flood waters, and thousands of properties were damaged and homes lost.
The Weekly talks to some of those impacted about their recollections, how the cyclone still affects them and what they’d do differently in the face of another severe weather event.
‘I’d be more prepared’
Woken by the constant miaowing of her cat Kore at 5.45am on February 14, artist Te Kīra Whakamoe arose to find her Waiohiki Arts Village home totally surrounded by a lake of flood water. The 48-year-old escaped with her son Izzy, but Cyclone Gabrielle destroyed their home and belongings, forever changing their lives.
Where are you living now?
I’m currently living in Ruatoki, Te Urewera, on ancestral whenua [land] and also in Heretaunga. I compulsively create art still, having joined seven group shows the year of the flood and one major solo show last year, which will travel this year to the Whakatāne gallery.
When I return to Heretaunga through Esk Valley, I will always have a visceral imprint in my memory of how it was. I will never forget the apocalyptic scenes and the absolute power of water, of Papatūānuku [Mother Earth].
Does Cyclone Gabrielle still affect your life?
The post-traumatic shock has finally turned to post- traumatic growth, but I know what it is to be homeless, to feel powerless, to be in a chronic and acute state of grief while others around go on as normal. I also know what it is to allow community to support and fiercely love me – which is almost harder for me and a lesson I’m still learning.
What challenges have you overcome in the past two years?
The challenges of the past two years have been to learn to live with others, in their homes, with their tikanga [customs] and to humble myself and be grateful.
Having no privacy while going through perimenopause and helping care for my dad who has Alzheimer’s, my mental and emotional health has taken a huge toll. But I feel infinitely stronger than I did two years ago – and when I say strong, I mean vulnerable, visionary, resilient and trusting of myself.
How is your cat Kore doing?
Kore now lives with my son Izzy and his partner Hazel in their flat in Hastings. I miss Kore so much. This is the first time in my life I’ve not had a cat to smooch, but I get video updates and visiting rights!
What would you do differently in the face of another disaster?
If another severe weather event was to happen, I’d be more prepared. I’m now strategic about what I leave on the ground, and I have emergency water and first aid. I live off the grid in Te Urewera, which lends itself to preparation and forward-thinking.
What have you learned from this experience that you’d like to share?
The only advice I have for others is to step back and look at the big picture – are you contributing to communities and nurturing relationships? These are the hard things, but they endure when material stability doesn’t. A huge percentage of the world lives without clean water, in poverty, close to starvation, stripped of dignity – you are only ever one potential disaster away from that.
‘It could happen to anybody’
Helicopter pilot and CEO of Rotor Force, Joe Faram, 60, will never forget flying through Esk Valley, where only the roofs of homes, with people dotted on top desperately waiting to be rescued, were visible in the floodwaters.
What memory stands out most for you from the many rescues you undertook?
I was involved with numerous moments of witnessing pure fear and desperation, but people’s expression of humbleness, gratitude and pure relief will stay with me forever.
Why do you do what you do?
It’s hugely satisfying being able to apply my skill set and assets for the benefit of others, especially in times of desperation. I’m very proud of my family’s involvement and response to Gabrielle [Joe’s wife Megs and daughter Tobie transformed their hangar into a rescue hub].
What other rescues or recovery efforts have you been involved in?
Flying since has seen me involved with evaluation surveys and aerial inspections as part of rebuilding assets affected by Gabrielle. Reinstatement of essential assets like electricity and communications has been an ongoing activity, while also assisting in the planning of future responses to any further natural disasters.
Can you still see the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle on your region?
To the credit of many, I’m hugely amazed at the populated landscape’s recovery, disguising what looked like a war zone just 24 months ago. However, you only need to cast your eyes over the farmland of our rising ranges to be reminded of this reality due to the deeply scarred hills.
What would you do differently in the face of another disaster?
I would happily do it all over again, but next time, I’ll don a life jacket when departing in the early hours of darkness as now I’m somewhat wiser to the catastrophe which may well unfold in front of me.
What have you learned from this experience that you’d like to share?
In the 40 years I’ve been flying, I have repeatedly heard the term, “This event is one in 100 years.” I must be a good 400-odd years old then given the events I have witnessed and participated in during my career. Don’t wrap yourself in the false pretence that something like this will not take place during your lifetime. Be mindful of your situation and considerate of others because one day you could well be comforting them or vice versa.
‘Our work continues’
In the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, Micki Machau leapt into action, creating the Hawke’s Bay Helping website to connect volunteers with those needing help. While her partner, extreme sports athlete Jack Jensen, 29, led teams of volunteers, Micki, 29, singlehandedly managed tens of thousands offers and requests for help a day.
Looking back, what moment stands out most for you, Micki?
Standing on my partner’s family farm on the Tukituki River watching shipping containers, livestock and whole sheds washing away. It was horrific. But I will also never forget the rush everyone in Hawke’s Bay was in to help – no one hesitated. It was inspiring.
Are you still living in Hawke’s Bay?
We’re still in the same spot in Havelock North. Why would we want to move away from a community that cares about others so much?
What are you and Jack up to now?
Jack and my work with MSFT Productions has continued helping those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle, especially in the rural communities. His mental health charity Spark That Chat has since hosted fully funded, free-to-attend community gigs all over Hawke’s Bay for families to come together, spark those life-saving chats, and reconnect as they work to rebuild their lives and homes. It’s been inspiring, hugely successful and will continue. I’m continuing my make-up artistry and make-up coaching work. The digital development work I did to create the Hawke’s Bay Helping site inspired me to push those skills further and I’ve recently developed Makeup Match, an online make-up routine creator to help women find the exact product they need and teach them how to use it.
What would you do differently in the face of another disaster?
I wouldn’t wait to see if the council or officials were going to do anything like we all did. We would just jump straight in and help each other the way we know works. I’d maybe get a quick crew together to navigate the website as it was 24-hour work to update, monitor and respond to help requests and emails from nearly 48,000 a day, which I had to manage on my own.
What have you learned from this experience that you’d like to share?
Don’t stop checking in on people after the immediate emergency. Mental health can take a turn even years on as a result of these kinds of events and for some, it only gets harder as they get lonelier when the hysteria has died down. Check on your neighbours, check on your rural family and friends, and continue to offer help or just chat over a cup of tea.
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