Remembering the Kaikoura earthquake It’s been four years since the massive 7.8M earthquake hit Kaikoura in November 2016. Dave Jacobsen (Golden Bay Fencing) and a few mates wanted to help those farmers whose properties and livelihoods had been devastated by the damage, so they packed up their swag and their tools and went to help out. 1.6km of new netting fence, repairs, new cattle yards and a wood shed were just some of the projects required to get the Millton and Clarence Farms (and other properties) back to working form. The following poem was written by Jane Millton (of ‘Moo and Moo and Little Calf Too’ fame) for Dave Jacobsen and those mates, who volunteered selflessly and tirelessly to mend her broken property.
TO THE TAKAKA FENCERS 12.02 that earthquake hit Fences gone and tracks all slipped A team of fencers of notable fame All the way from Takaka generously came Those fencing men travelled in style Swags packed, here to stay for a while They came with enthusiasm, a smile and good cheer They came to help us... that earthquake hit here November fourteen, twenty sixteen Violent shaking, never before seen The Seafront slumped ... water lines stuffed The cleanup job had us all puffed The work began; we’ll do what we can With alkathene pipe, kilometres ran Water connected, and the cattle now calm The next job was fences, to dig up and down There was Dave and Sandy, Luke and Mitch A team working together and never a hitch Fence lines dozed, and the posts now driven That generous help was graciously given Posts and battens and tiebacks too Those men pulled wires with one eye on the view The coastline had changed, and that seabed lifted Those Takaka men, they were certainly gifted They camped in the whare Cooking roast beef and curry!
Mashed spuds, peas and stew And Fissy stayed too Some beers and some laughter And much poetry after Fizzy and Sandy had stories to tell Of their travels and antics way back from hell!
Our People
And now and again dined with Derrick and Jane
The banter of stories of common places With recognition of so many old faces Back home to Takaka for a weekend Do all their washing and catch up with a friend Then back they came to that old comfy shack With a brand new picnic table tied on the back Thank you all for being so kind People like you are pretty hard to find!
WIRED MAGAZINE
ISSUE 60 / MARCH 2021
43
