Ka whati te tī, ka wana te tī, ka rito te tī.
When the Tī (Cabbage Tree) is destroyed, it builds inner strength, then begins to grow again.
Wednesday 14 February 2024 is the one year anniversary since Cyclone Gabrielle devastated our region.
There’s no denying it’s been an incredibly tough year for Hawke’s Bay. Whilst much progress has been made in the recovery of our region, we acknowledge that there is still a long road ahead.
Our community has pulled together with kindness, courage and commitment, bringing hope and optimism for our ongoing recovery.
We are grateful for the tireless mahi of our remarkable volunteers, agencies, businesses, and wider community who have all supported each other. And of course, to our first responders and agencies who worked so hard in those first days and weeks after, and continue to do so today.
Hawke's Bay Regional Council, Hastings District Council, Napier City Council, Central Hawke’s Bay District Council, and Wairoa District Council have all worked together, alongside the Regional Recovery Agency, to put together commemorative services and events to acknowledge the significance of this anniversary.
Collectively we recognise that the road to recovery is different for everyone and hope these commemorations are received with the respect, care and gratitude for our community that we hope to convey.
Commemorative events will include:
A minute's silence
Across the region, from Wairoa to Central Hawke’s Bay, we will be unifying for a minute's silence at midday on Wednesday 14 February. We encourage your business, school or organisation to support this initiative and join us as we reflect on the challenges of the last year and pay our respects to those who lost loved ones, their homes, livelihoods, pets and livestock as a result of the cyclone.
Civic commemorative services
Event | Date and time | Location |
WAIROA Memorial Hikoi from the A&P Showgrounds to Memorial Park/Tapuae Grounds, followed by karakia and kai. |
Wednesday, 14 February 2024, from 6am | Meet at the A and P Showgrounds for karakia. All whānau are welcome to ‘hikoia te hikoi’ from Ruataniwha Road and through North Clyde streets collecting whānau along the way and ending at Memorial Park/Tapuae Grounds. |
WAIPAWA Commemoration service |
Wednesday, 14 February 2024 11am – 12.30pm |
Waipawa Primary School, 6 Harker Street, Waipawa |
PŌRANGAHAU Community gathering |
Wednesday, 14 February 2024 11am - 1.30pm |
Pōrangahau Memorial Hall, Abercrombie Street |
HASTINGS Commemoration service |
Wednesday, 14 February 2024 at 11.30am |
Civic Square, Hastings This service will be livestreamed via HDC's Facebook page and website here. |
NAPIER Commemoration service |
Wednesday, 14 February 2024 at 11.45am | The Soundshell, Napier |
PLUS, for Wairoa District Council on 14 February Mokopuna Day: A fun day that will see the Tapuae Grounds transformed into an inflatable world to acknowledge their amazing resilient tamariki mokopuna. All schools and pre-schools must pre-register to danielleb@wairoadc.govt.nz Whānau Concert: Wairoa reflecting as one with music, kai and whanaungatanga from 5.30-8.30, at the Tapuae Grounds. Come together to reflect on being proud Wairoa people. To register a stall and sell food please email danielleb@wairoadc.govt.nz |
Community-led events
Event | Date and time | Location | Contact |
PACIFIC CHURCH AND COMMUNITY LEADERS Commemoration Service |
Sunday, 11 February 2024, 6pm – 7.30pm | Kings House Church, 190 Riverbend Road, Maraenui | Enquiries and RSVPs (before 2 Feb) to Talalelei.Taufale@health.govt.nz |
TE WHATU ORA Memorial service |
Wednesday 14 February, 2024, 2.45pm - 3.15pm | The courtyard behind the Chapel, Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital | Jeannine Epplett |
Community Karakia | Wednesday 14 February, 2024 7.30am |
Ōmāhu Marae | Reverend Zhane Tāhau Whelan zhane@piringahapu.com |
Commemoration service at Eskdale Church | Wednesday 14 February. 11.30am | Eskdale Church, Eskdale Drive | RSVP to Ash Gale 0226749684 |
Community Together events | Wednesday 14 February | 4.00pm @ Bay View Hotel, 43 Petane Road, Bay View 6.00PM @ Valley D Vine, 347 State Highway 5, Esk Valley |
|
Community Remembrance Karakia |
Saturday 17 February, 2024, 10am for karakia, 11am kai | Napier RSA - 34 Vautier Street | Ngāhiwi Tōmoana ngahiwi@kahungunu.co.nz |
Let's have some fun! |
Saturday 17 February, 3pm | Valley D Vine, 347 State Highway 5, Esk Valley |
|
Community resilience celebration |
Saturday 17 February, 12 noon | The Duke Hotel Pōrangahau |
|
Community Remembrance Karakia |
Sunday 18 February, 10am for karakia, 11am kai |
Clubs Hastings - 308 Victoria Street | Ngāhiwi Tōmoana ngahiwi@kahungunu.co.nz |
Hawke’s Bay Together in Black and White
To show our solidarity and support for our region, we encourage you to wear your heart on your sleeve by once again, dressing in Hawke’s Bay colours (black and white) on Wednesday 14 February.
This initiative received overwhelming support when it was launched in March last year and we hope to show the same solidarity again.
How can you get involved?
- Dress in black & white on Wednesday 14 February
- Decorate the town black and white; store windows, shop fronts, letterboxes (anywhere visible!)
- Tell your friends, family, colleagues and customers so they can wear their Hawke’s Bay colours too.
Support services
Approaching the anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle will be difficult for many members of our community so please continue to check-in on your neighbours and friends. If anyone needs additional support during this time please remember help is available. Please see this website for a list of agencies who can offer help.