The Te Karaka community is working together to make sure everyone is safe, says Mahaki Tiaki Tangata member Pimia Wehi.
Overnight the Waipaoa River levels reach 7.5m at the Kanakanaia Bridge which caused the iwi-led response team to put the call out to the Te Karaka community to self-evacuate to Te Poho o Rawiri marae or family and friends’ places in Gisborne.
“It’s been a bit of a dicey night. The rivers kept rising more and more,” Wehi said.
About 90 people had managed to safely evacuate to Gisborne and others still in Te Karaka were recommended to go to Te Karaka Area School where they were prepared to take in people.
Mahaki Tiaki Tangata has been on-site since 9.30pm monitoring river levels and communicating to the community and wider public what is going on.
On Wednesday morning the team and those at TK Area Sschool gathered to share prayer and love with their whānau.
“We are encouraging people to come here and be together.”
Wehi said they were wanting to get the roads closed to Te Karaka so that people did not come sight-seeing.
“The main concern is ensuring all our whānau and community are safe,” she said.
Te Karaka local Issachar Te Pairi has posted on the Te Karaka Township Facebook page letting people know they have space on their land for animals and people if needed.
“Our whare and paddocks are open to anyone needing space for themselves or animals.
“Over night was pretty hard with wind and rain. I saw the river breach at 4.30am,” Te Pairi said.
Some of the “cuzzies” horses were in his paddock while some other whānau took their animals up to Cranswick Hill.
Overall he was feeling good, he said.
“We have a hui to attend soon in case the rain picks up and we need to plan ahead.”
The local GAS shop was open from 9.30am-1pm for residents to get supplies they needed.
The NZ Defence Force, Police and Fire and Emergency are also at the TK Area School to support the community.
More updates will be shared on the Mahaki Tiaki Tangata Facebook Page.
