Proudly Napier March 2023

Word from our Mayor Kirsten Wise

Kia ora koutou.

We’ve been describing our response and recovery after Cyclone Gabrielle as a marathon, and we’re certainly feeling that at the moment. Everyone involved, and there are a lot of people doing their bit, has put untold hours and so much energy into helping our affected communities.

Our overarching focus is on community wellbeing and that’s not just in our geographic area; we are helping out our neighbours in Hastings as well.

It’s a group effort with a lot of support from outside our region and from many agencies coming in to help too. This includes Te Taiwhenua, FENZ, NZ Police, Unison and Waka Kotahi, NZ Defence Force, Army and Navy and people from other councils who have come to help our civil defence emergency management teams.

What I’m really proud of is people’s self-reliance. Although there is a lot of help available people have been amazing at looking after themselves. This is only matched by their ability to help others, their neighbours and family, school, church and marae communities but further afield too. People have pulled on their gumboots, rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in. They’ve donated money, time and resources. They’ve cooked and cleaned. They’ve looked after children and pets. Everyone has done so much to help get our community back on its feet.

Across Hawke’s Bay’s councils and support agencies, mayors, chairs and iwi leaders are already turning our attention to recovery. We won’t be back to 100% business-as-usual for a while yet but in as many areas as possible we are looking at how we can reopen facilities and services while balancing the needs of those hardest hit.

We continue to work closely with the agencies and teams who are rebuilding our roads, bridges and infrastructure and with those charged with ensuring all our residents have power and telecommunications.

Support, supplies and services have come to us from all over New Zealand. It has been heart-warming and humbling. Most remarkable of all though, has been your resilience, perseverance and ability to keep going no matter the obstacles.

My thoughts go to all those who have lost a loved one. The pain will be acute and there are no words but to say your community grieves with you. For those who have lost pets, property, stock, possessions and livelihoods, I also acknowledge the loss you are experiencing.

As a council, we are committed to walking alongside you to help recover and rebuild, but we know the loss is immense. Thank you for your patience and courage through these trying times. Thank you for looking after each other and showing such strong community spirit. We will do everything we can to wrap around you and support you.

We are looking forward to life resuming some form of ‘normal’ but we do have a way to go. I encourage you to look after yourself and your family and neighbours, stay healthy, take time out when you can and try to take it day-by-day, step-by-step.

Managing your water means keeping an eye on how much you take but also what you put into the pipes.

You can help conserve water by keeping showers short, running the dishwasher and washing machine in the early morning or at night, not watering the garden, not waterblasting or hosing down the driveway, and not washing the car.

Keeping your water use down not only helps conserve water it also keeps the pressure off our wastewater infrastructure. This is struggling due to a breakdown at the wastewater treatment plant.

Water conservation is critical as some of our wastewater network is still running on generators, some pump stations are not yet fully back to normal operation and our wastewater treatment plant is currently out of action. Be careful what you put into the drain or down the loo.

In the loo it’s only paper, pee and poo. No sanitary products or nappies and no ‘flushable’ wipes. They clog the pipes and turn into ‘rag monsters’ that cause havoc down below. In the drain, it’s just rain, no fat or grease, no chemicals, no rubbish, no silt.

Our city’s drinking water is safe to drink but there is a ‘boil water’ notice in place for all residents with a private water supply like a bore. This is because of potential contamination of ground water from flooding.

Waste

to help others.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone at Te Taiwhenua o Te Whanganui a Ōrotu for your hard work over these past weeks.

Thanks too to those at Pukemokimoki Marae and St Joseph's Māori Girls' College. You have been a pillar of support in our community, helping whānau during this challenging time.

A massive effort too at Bayview Hotel where a drop-off centre is set up to distribute essentials. Thank you for opening your doors to anyone who has needed help. Thank you for the countless hours spent preparing kai, delivering supplies, sorting through donations, feeding people, providing a warm smile and a shoulder to cry on. With much aroha and appreciation, thank you.

A lot of people are wondering what to do with waste. Here’s the situation in Napier at the moment:

Kerbside rubbish collection - Our kerbside rubbish collection is back to normal. Even though we’ll have lots of our usual household rubbish, it’s important to only fill the wheelie-bin and not place anything on top or beside it as we won't be able to collect this.

Kerbside recycling collection - Kerbside recycling is not yet being undertaken. Please store all recycling at home in the meantime. Thank you for your patience while we work through solutions to get this service back up and running. We will update you on this service when we have a solution.

Redclyffe Transfer Station - The Redclyffe Transfer Station is open to Napier residents for flood-damaged household items only. This will be free of charge until further notice. We are not able to accept recycling and green waste at the moment.

Other types of waste - Hawke's Bay Regional Council has identified waste types that will need to be dealt with in different ways. These are animal carcasses, silt, wood debris, and posts and wire. Keep these separate to minimise the amount of mixed-waste ending up in overloaded waste sites. For more information go to Hawke's Bay Regional Council Facebook page or hbrc.govt.nz

Community spirit at its finest!

Groups, businesses and individuals all over Napier have given their time

Go back to basics: wash your hands well especially when handling waste, rubbish or flood debris, stay out of flood water, stay hydrated, try and get some sleep and downtime, talk with friends and keep connected to help with mental wellbeing, stay in contact with your neighbours and loved ones.

Avoid contact with water in drains, streams and Te Whanganui a Ōrotu (Ahuriri Estuary), and keep your four-legged friends healthy too by keeping them out of waterways. Don’t gather kai moana and stay out of the water and away from the beach. Mana whenua have a rāhui in place until further notice.

Silt mud and dust can carry toxins so it’s important to stay away from them as much as possible. If you do need to come into contact with them, dress for success! Wear long sleeves and long pants - a coverall is even better – wear a mask, eye protection and gumboots. When you have finished, wash up well.

The impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle are affecting people in different ways, and at different times. Please know that it’s OK not to be OK, and help is available.

Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.

Accommodation - Many home and contents insurance policies cover temporary accommodation. Policy wording will differ, so check with your insurer. The Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) can help you find temporary accommodation. Call TAS on 0508 754 163 for more information. If you are providing accommodation to evacuees, you may also be eligible for an accommodation payment.

Civil Defence Payments - You may be able to get a Civil Defence Payment if you had to leave your home, if you were away from your home at the time of the emergency and you can’t return, if you need help with food, bedding or clothing, or if you can’t go to work.

Talk to Work and Income on 0800 400 100 or go to workandincome.govt.nz for help with Temporary Accommodation Services and Civil Defence Payments.

Rates - We have approved 'rates remissions' in response to Cyclone Gabrielle. The remissions apply to red and yellow stickered properties and the application form is available at napier.govt.nz

In addition to this we will not be charging late payment penalties on this quarter’s rates instalment through till the end of March.

At times like these it’s more important than ever to look after your health.

Financial pressures can make a challenging time more difficult. Support is available for those who need it.

Donations and Funding

The Disaster Relief Trust has been activated making it easy for people all over NZ and the world to donate to the region’s recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle.

Hawke’s Bay’s Mayors and Regional Council Chair have reactivated the Trust run by Hawke's Bay Regional Council so people can give knowing their donation will be spent on urgent support for the people who need it most.

Donate via internet banking to Hawke's Bay Disaster Relief Fund, bank account 02-0700-0010824-002 or through the website at  napier.govt.nz/relief-fund-donations

People in Hawke’s Bay impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle can apply to the Hawke’s Bay Disaster Relief Fund.

It offers one-off hardship grants to alleviate hardship due to flooding, prolonged power outages and landslips. For the rural community, applications can be extended to provide some assistance for emergency funding requirements for livestock and disposal of dead stock. Support is available up to a maximum of $1,000 per household or $2,000 for organisations, marae and community groups.

Apply online at bit.ly/3mbflSl

NAPIER NIGHT

With delicious eats and divine sounds, Napier Night Fiesta is a great way to spend quality time with family and friends in a relaxed atmosphere. Sip a quiet bevvy while the band plays! Taste the delights of the food truck line-up! Come along to the last fiesta of the season and make Friday 17 March Fiesta-Day!

Cr Keith Price

Cr Greg Mawson

Cr Nigel Simpson

Cr Graeme Taylor

Cr Maxine Boag

Cr Sally Crown

Cr Juliet Greig

Cr Chad Tareha

Cr Ronda Chrystal

Cr Hayley Browne

Cr Richard McGrath

Deputy Mayor Annette Brosnan Mayor Kirsten Wise

OF 2023's FIESTAS

Clive Square 5:30 - 8:30pm