Reflecting on Cyclone Gabrielle and ongoing impact

It’s been two years since Cyclone Gabrielle swept through Northland, Auckland, the Coromandel, Gisborne, and Hawke’s Bay, leaving thousands of families, homes, and farmlands affected.

With properties badly damaged from the wild winds and floods, Habitat knew at the time that families would need long-term support from community organisations in affected areas.

Over the past two years, Habitat partnered with Manawa Ora Trust in Hawke’s Bay to repair damaged homes in the most flood-affected areas of the region. Habitat’s disaster appeal for Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023 raised more than $200,000 and this has been allocated to the Manawa Ora Trust and our regional Affiliate offices for on-going repairs.

So far, 13 families in Hawke’s Bay have had their homes repaired, with four of these homes receiving major upgrades, including new insulation, wall linings, kitchens, and bathrooms.

Kim is one of those affected by the events of February 2023. On the day Cyclone Gabrielle hit, Kim was focused on getting his farm animals to safety as water crept across his land. Within just 30 minutes, his property and his livelihood were underwater.

Today, Kim's home now has new insulation, plastered and painted walls, doors, a kitchen, and a bathroom, transforming what was once a flooded shell into a warm, safe space to rebuild his life.

As we mark this two-year milestone, we reflect on the strength of the communities impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle and the power of partnership in action. There’s still much to do, but together, we’re helping more people have a decent place to live.