Aotea has moved into a major cleanup and restocking phase following Wednesday’s record-breaking deluge. While roading crews continue to shore up slips and clear debris, the island’s supply chains have roared back to life to replenish local stores and reconnect the community.
Izzy Fordham, Chair of the Great Barrier Local Board, says it has been a hectic time for everyone. “The island took a massive hit in the recent Tropical Storm. Many of our families have been impacted and our thoughts go out to them. The roading network took a hiding and that’s evident as you move around the island.”
“Our local roading crews, arborists, FENZ and Emergency Response Team have been working tirelessly over the last few days and full credit to them in getting our roads open as best they can, that work continues,” Fordham says. “Some areas that have been heavily compromised will take a lot longer and we ask that people please be patient as the works progress.”
The scale of the storm remains a sobering point of comparison. While Claris recorded 449mm of rain, the island emerged from the event remarkably unscathed compared to the mainland. In Mount Maunganui, specialized USAR teams and sniffer dogs have been working through the night at the Beachside Holiday Park where a massive landslide from Mauao buried campervans and an amenities block. Children are among those still missing in the debris. In Pāpāmoa, two people—a grandmother and grandchild—have died after a slip destroyed a home on Welcome Bay Road. Across the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty, the situation has been described by Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell as a “war zone,” a stark contrast to the recovery efforts now underway here.
Local Crews Clearing the Way
The reopening of the roading network is down to tireless work of our contractors who have been chasing the storm since it first hit. Crews from Fulton Hogan and Aotea Contractors remain out in force today, shoring up the critical slip on Medland Road and cutting up the enormous trees that have been blocking Shoal Bay Road.
“Considerable progress has been made opening the roading network. Access is now open across the network to light traffic – one way access applies to Medlands and Shoal Bay slips.” The Aotea Great Barrier Emergency Response Team (ERT) said Thursday evening.
The ERT noted that an Auckland Transport Geotechnical Engineer arrived on the island this morning to carry out further assessments, but cautioned that “the roading network remains vulnerable and we encourage driving with care as road slips and conditions could change.”
Stores Restocked as Supply Lines Surge
The island’s supply lines have seen a massive surge as Friday unfolds. Barrier Air and SeaLink have scheduled additional flights and sailings to make up for the backlog and accommodate visitors and locals. A full barge arrived at Whangaparapara at noon today, providing a vital link while crews work to restore SeaLink service to Tryphena.
The impact is already hitting store shelves. Mulberry Grove received all its freight today, with tons of fresh and frozen goods delivered. It is a similar story at Stonewall, where essential supplies have arrived to restock the community after the isolation of the last 48 hours. Remedial works were carried out on the airfield yesterday, “restoring all flight operations to schedule.”
Ongoing Recovery and Infrastructure Damage
Despite the progress, the ERT warned that “as a community we cannot underestimate the substantial damage that has been caused by this weather event.” The flooding caused substantial damage to both the generators and the battery bank that services power to the Council facilities and Aotea Health. As a result, “the Service Centre and Library will remain closed in the interim and we will update as soon as able specifically in regard to access to library services.”
Landowners are advised to stay alert as the risk of landslides on both private and public land remains elevated. “Today’s focus has been on the immediate response but over the next couple of days as we move into the recovery phase it is important to look out for each other and to continue to report hazards,” the ERT stated.
The ERT also issued a public “big shout out today for our Contractors and FENZ volunteers and everyone that has supported a neighbour or friend.” Anyone with private property damage, particularly issues with septic overflow or flooding, is encouraged to report it locally by texting or calling 027 257 9482.
