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NAPIER
Volunteers in Bay View
February 2024
Word from our Mayor Kirsten Wise Kia ora koutou. It is one year since Cyclone Gabrielle. In some ways it is hard to fathom only twelve months have passed. Our community has accomplished much in that time. But in other ways it feels fresh and raw, and there is still a lot to do. Every day, the Cyclone and our recovery from it are front-of-mind in our work programmes and planning. This month we also take time to remember those who were lost to us, a loss that will be felt forever. We reflect too on the homes, livelihoods, animals, properties and belongings that were taken by the impacts of the cyclone. February also marks 93 years since the 1931 earthquake, and we remember the 256 people who died because of it. Remembering what happened during those devastating moments is a difficult thing to do. In some ways it is easier to focus on what came next: Neighbours who helped each other, strangers – local and from afar – who came to lend a hand, those in emergency and essential services, community, charity and volunteer groups who gave us so much care and aroha. It is perhaps more useful to remember the spirit that came out of both these momentous disasters, the camaraderie and community cohesion that got us through. This is the thing that
will remain part of our community psyche forever. We are a durable community, we know how to look after each other, we are resourceful and brave, and we have a collective resilience that pushes us forward into action. The 1931 Earthquake and the 2023 Cyclone have arguably made the largest impact on our place and its people, but there are many stories in the biography of Napier, now commemorating its 150th year. Ours is a rich heritage, spanning many hundreds of years. It contributes to our identity and sense of place and is a tangible link to our past. Celebrating it instils a sense of pride and connection by anchoring us to our roots. Each year at this time we welcome lots of visitors to Napier, domestic and international. Many have no knowledge of the significant commemorations taking place. Napier though understands its responsibility as a visitor destination of choice, and we know how to throw a party! So, while we are contemplative about what the past year has brought, we are also celebratory. There is a lot to celebrate: our innovative businesses, our busy hospitality, our tourism attractions, events and festivals, our climate and environment. As much as this is a time of reflection, it’s also a time to honour the good things that are happening in Napier and our wider region. Take some time out to mark one year since the cyclone but I also hope you have the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful things that make our city special.
Cyclone Gabrielle ONE YEAR ON
The first few days... February 14, 2023, is a date etched in Hawke’s Bay’s history as one of the region’s darkest days, as Cyclone Gabrielle caused widespread damage, flooding and extreme isolation for Napier.
On Monday 13 February, the Napier Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was stood up. In the early hours of Tuesday, a State of Emergency was declared for Napier. Regional and national declarations followed soon after. Over 70,000 Napier residents were isolated without power, water, communications, health services and road connectivity. The Napier Wastewater Treatment Plant in Awatoto and associated industrial area were completely inundated as the stop banks of the Tūtaekurī River were breached. Some residential and commercial areas, along with surrounding rural communities and productive land, were destroyed. The areas surrounding the Napier urban area, including Puketapu, Meeanee, Brookfields, Awatoto, Pākōwhai, Whirinaki, Esk Valley and Tangoio communities, along with productive horticultural land, were decimated. There was also flooding in Taradale, Bayview and Te Awa.
It took at least four days before power started to be restored, although some Napier residents went without power for up to 11 days. This meant that services and businesses without access to generators and fuel were unable to support the community. Only one supermarket was able to open two days after the cyclone, which quickly led to long queues, panic buying, and empty shelves. A lack of operational ATMs led to difficulties obtaining cash and a fear that fuel supplies may run out, led to long queues and rationing at those service stations able to operate. For several displaced residents, shelter was provided at Kennedy Park Resort, Centennial Event Centre, St Joseph’s Māori Girls College, Tamatea Intermediate, Pukemokimoki Marae, Bayview Hotel Pub, Equippers Church and Napier Central School. Community groups provided other support, such as food parcels, toiletries and wellbeing support.
He whakamaharatanga ki te Huripari Kaperiere
CYCLONE GABRIELLE One Year Anniversary
Wednesday 14 February is the one year anniversary since Cyclone Gabrielle devastated our region. Please join us for a Community Commemoration Service Wednesday, 14 February at 11.45am Napier Soundshell, Marine Parade
A region-wide minute’s silence will be held on Wednesday, 14 February 2024 at 12pm to pay respect to all those impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Minute Silence Hawke’s Bay will be unifying for a minute silence at midday. Wherever you are take time to pause and reflect.
A BIG thank you In the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle we saw our communities rally together like never before. We are so grateful to the people who stepped up to help their friends, whānau, neighbours and strangers! Thank you to each and every one of you who showed true leadership, sacrifice and service, lightening the load and bringing some joy and relief to so many in our community.
Wastewater Treatment Plant A major focus for Napier City Council immediately after the Cyclone was the work needed to bring Napier’s Wastewater Treatment Plant back to pre-cyclone operational condition.
The road to recovery Napier’s road to recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle includes a strong focus on infrastructure resilience, collaborating with our neighbouring councils, partner agencies and iwi, and ensuring Hawke’s Bay’s ongoing recovery needs are a priority for central government. Significant progress continues to be made with the Voluntary Buyout programme for Category 3 properties. Napier City and Hastings District councils are leading the programme together. The Voluntary Buyout Office (VBO) has met with 100 property owners across Hawke’s Bay. This equates to more than 70% of the currently eligible Category 3 property owners. Of Napier’s 14 eligible Category 3 properties, 11 have had an initial meeting at the Voluntary Buyout Office. Offers have been made regarding two of those properties, while eight are in the process of receiving valuations. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s Rapid Repair Teams have worked hard to repair the region’s stop banks to pre-cyclone standard, which includes the stop bank breach at Awatoto. There are long-term plans to repair the damaged stop banks to withstand at least a one-in-onehundred flooding event.
Flooding from Cyclone Gabrielle resulted in most of the treatment plant’s equipment being significantly damaged. Between April and June, the site treated wastewater using its miliscreen process rather than the full operation, which includes two biological trickling filters. By June the first BTF was up and running and in July the second came back online. Odour beds that were also damaged during the cyclone were also cleared and repaired, and in some cases rebuilt.
“The wastewater treatment plant is the kind of place we only think about when it’s not working. Its successful operation has a huge effect on our community, our industries and economy, our environment, our health and safety. When we lost it on 14 February, every household was affected. Getting it back in operation is something our whole community should celebrate, and the journey of getting to this point should be something we all take pride in.” Mayor Kirsten Wise
At a governance level, our councils are working together to make sure our region’s recovery needs stay front-and-centre for the new government. These priorities include improving resilience of our lifelines (power, telecommunications, and transport), removing remaining silt and debris, investment in roading repairs and ensuring we have the workforce available to carry out the extensive programme of work across the region.
93rd Napier Earthquake Memorial Service Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise warmly invites you to attend a service commemorating the anniversary of the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake. Date: Saturday 3 February 2024, 12 noon Venue: Waiapu Anglican Cathedral, 28 Browning St, Napier Join us for a light lunch at the conclusion of the service. RSVP by 22 Jan to 06 834 4198 or rsvp@napier.govt.nz Traffic management and a drop-off zone for attendees will be in place.
SCHEME To apply for funding, visit napier.govt.nz and use the search keyword ‘grants’. Applications close 5pm, 16 February, 2024.
Apply now!
Clive Square, Napier 5:30–8:30pm
NAPIER NIGHT
FEBRUARY FEBRUARY MARCH
facebook.com/napiernightfiesta
Your Council Mayor Kirsten Wise
Deputy Mayor Annette Brosnan
Cr Chad Tareha
Cr Graeme Taylor
Cr Greg Mawson
Cr Hayley Browne
Taradale Ward
Taradale Ward
Nelson Park Ward
Ahuriri Ward
Onekawa-Tamatea Ward
Cr Juliet Greig
Cr Keith Price
Cr Maxine Boag
Nelson Park Ward
Ahuriri Ward
Nelson Park Ward
Cr Nigel Simpson Cr Richard McGrath Cr Ronda Chrystal Taradale Ward
Onekawa-Tamatea Ward
215 Hastings Street, Napier 4110, Private Bag 6010, Napier 4142 | t 06 835 7579 e info@napier.govt.nz napier.govt.nz | facebook.com/NapierCityCouncil
Taradale Ward
Cr Sally Crown Nelson Park Ward