Wednesday, 25 September 2024 07:55

Seeking apology

Written by  Peter Burke
Wairoa Mayor Craig Little. Wairoa Mayor Craig Little.

The small east coast township of Wairoa is still waiting for an apology from the Hawke's Bay Regional Council (HBRC) following the devastating floods which hit the town in June and damaged hundreds of houses.

While the damage was mainly in the town, the floods also affected services to the large farming hinterland.

The people of Wairoa have blamed inaction by HBRC for the disaster and feelings against the regional council are still running high in the township.

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little told Rural News that people in the town still don't feel the council is listening to them.

He says HBRC haven't admitted they have done anything wrong and therein lies the problem.

"When you have done something wrong you have to acknowledge that and then talk to the people you have really hurt and who are suffering - and they haven't done that yet.

"So, they must start looking at themselves and start dealing fairly and honestly with the people in our community and they haven't done that," he says.


 Read More


Little's comments follow the release of an independent report by former Police Commissioner Mike Bush about what happened during the floods.

He says the town was already grieving the damage wrought by Cyclone Gabrielle and adds that the somewhat sinister river mouth looms over the town.

 

 

More like this

Sport star to talk at expo

Rugby league legend Tawera Nikau is set to inspire, celebrate and entertain at the East Coast Farming Expo's very popular Property Broker's Evening Muster.

Iwi eyes hort for progress

A post settlement treaty organisation in Wairoa is banking on horticulture to boost employment and income for its people.

Farmer woes

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little says things are still not back to normal for farmers in his district and they are still suffering from problems caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.

Featured

India-New Zealand free trade agreement (FTA) dairy outcomes

OPINION: As negotiations advance on the India-New Zealand FTA, it’s important to remember the joint commitment made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the beginning of this process in March: for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial agreement.

Honesty vital in flood insurance claims, says IFSO

As New Zealand experiences more frequent and severe flooding events, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging consumers to be honest and accurate when making insurance claims for flood damage.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Picking winners?

OPINION: Every time politicians come up with an investment scheme where they're going to have a crack at 'picking winners'…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter