CYCLONE GABRIELLE CLEAN-UP

One of the worst storms to hit Aotearoa in living history, Cyclone Gabrielle affected the North Island and the top of the South Island from 12 to 16 February 2023, with a national state of emergency declared on 14 February. The weather event brought heavy rain and gale-force winds resulting in flooding, landslips, falling trees, evacuations, power outages, road blockages, and a death toll of at least 11 Gabrielle was on a par with Cyclone Giselle (1968) which caused the Wahine Disaster, and Cyclone Bola (1988).

An initial assessment of Brain Watkins House identified branches on the driveway from the oak trees, which were easily cleared, but then that the kōwhai tree had completely blown over. Luckily the white concrete swan made by Peter McTainsh was undamaged. The swan was located right next to the base of the tree, which is not a significant tree in the garden nor old enough to be deemed historical. However, the swan is one of our taonga, and so we have come off very lightly.

The kōwhai tree had fallen away from our structures, and so lay in state for a few days before we could organise a working bee on Saturday 18th February to remove it and to generally clear up other debris. Many thanks to our wonderful 'helping hands', John and Julie Green with their newly sharpened chainsaw, Rosie Burr (Grounds Custodian at The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga) and Gerhardt Reibstirn. As the lawns hadn't been mown by City Care for many weeks they resembled a hay-paddock - and so I took my lawnmower along to give them a mow before the next day's Open House Unfortunately I did become a little frustrated with how many times the mower stalled due to the length of the lawns, so gave up completely on using the catcher with only one or two disparaging words aimed its way! A bit messy for now, but better than they were - Debbie McCauley.