A leader of recovery effors in the small East Coast village of Te Karaka says people have blossomed in the year since Cyclone Gabrielle, despite the the devastation to whenua and whānua.
A remembrance service was held at dawn today at Te Karaka Area School with an Anglican and Ringatū minister leading the prayer.
Pimia Wehi from Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki says tears were shed, especially for those who lost their lives and whānau still displaced after flood waters forced the community to shelter up a hill.
She says some whanau emerged from the storm with nothing.
“And I have to mihi to Red Cross because they were one of the first organisations that put their hands up and were able to support our families, and the temporary housing space, to provide them with new furniture, new beds, new pots, everything that they were able to give give bundles to our whānau who had nothing,” Ms Wehi says.
She says the effects of the disaster were felt especially hard by tane in the community.
