Te Reo o Te Tai Tonga

Rāapa 2 o ngā rā o Poutūterangi 2011

Mauri Tū Mauri Ora ki ā tātou katoa

The wind has been really strong today and the silt and dust has been getting everywhere. At times we struggled to see 20 feet in front of us, and face masks and glasses were a necessity.

Some people were attempting to camp on the reserve in front of Ngā Hau e Whā Marae this morning but a couple of hours later their tents were down and they were packing up. I don't know whether that was because of the strong wind or they were moved on by the authorities, but it just brings home the desperate plight of people trying to find somewhere to stay. So many homes are badly damaged.

Some bright spots today: the Māori Wardens collected all the food parcels and have distributed them to the homes of those most in need in the eastern suburbs. It is such a relief to know these whānau will have something to eat for the next few days. We also took the bulk foods over to Rapaki Marae. The community there was severely hit by the quake and many are living in the marae where they feel a little safer. And also up to Tuahiwi Marae, where the whānau are accommodating, feeding and caring for about 60 people as well as cooking about 200 meals a day for people in Christchurch.

I won't lie. life here in Ōtautahi is not easy. We are still finding families in dire need of food, water and hygienic necessities. The dust is horrible and irritating. Many people remain in a constant state of distress with each aftershock. But our people are resilient. We carry on. We support one another. We are living manaakitanga, kotahitanga, whanaungatanga, tautoko and aroha.

Kia kaha Ōtautahi.

Rahui

ENDS

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