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

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.

Wairoa flood review findings released

A review into the Wairoa flooding event on 26 June 2024 has found the flood was caused by a combination of factors leading to the river backing up and overflowing.

Further support to speed up recovery

Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has announced $16.8 million in Budget 2024 funding to support councils in accelerating recovery efforts following the severe weather events of 2023.

Featured

No bird flu on second farm

Biosecurity New Zealand says test results to date from a small free-range layer chicken farm near Dunedin are negative for avian influenza.

No disease on other Mainland Poultry farms

Biosecurity New Zealand has reported no signs of disease on other chicken farms operated by Mainland Poultry in Otago, however testing and monitoring work continues.

National

NZ out of step - report

New Zealand is out of step globally in looking to put a price on agricultural emissions from food production.

Pork imports furore

Pork farmers says a significant influx of imported pork is causing them concern.

Govt limits forestry conversions

Farmers have welcomed the Government’s move designed to limit farm to forestry conversions entering the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

Machinery & Products

More front hoppers

German seeding specialists Horsch have announced a new 1600- litre double-tank option that will join its current Partner FT single…

Origin Ag clocks up 20 years

With roots dating back to 2004, Origin Ag was formed as a co-operative business model that removed the traditional distributor,…

Teat spray price drop

FIL, the animal health and dairy hygiene subsidiary of GEA Farm Technologies, is dropping the price for its chlorhexidine teat…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Loud noises!

OPINION: One of the strongest arguments for Act’s Treaty Principles Bill is probably its opponents’ total inability to raise a…

Barks like a dog

OPINION: Landcorp is putting a brave face on its latest result, highlighting its progress on KPIs like climate change and…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter