Cyclone Gabrielle one year on - how to mark the occasion
Hawke’s Bay will remember the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle with commemorative services and a minute’s silence on Wednesday.
Exactly one year ago on 14 February, Cyclone Gabrielle unleashed its fury on Hawke’s Bay resulting in widespread devastation.
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.
At midday on Wednesday, a minute’s silence will be observed across the region, from Wairoa to Central Hawke’s Bay.
The Councils have called on 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”.
The Councils say that everyone should dress in Hawke’s Bay colours (black & white) on Wednesday, and also decorate the town black and white.
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 |
| NAPIER Commemoration service |
Wednesday, 14 February 2024 at 11.45am | The Soundshell, Napier |
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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 |
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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 |
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Community Remembrance Karakia |
Saturday 17 February, 2024, 10am for karakia, 11am kai | Napier RSA - 34 Vautier Street | Ngāhiwi Tōmoana ngahiwi@kahungunu.co.nz |
| Picnic at Puketapu | Saturday 17 February, 1.00pm - 5.00pm | Puketapu at Ōmāhu | Reverend Zhane Tāhau Whelan zhane@piringahapu.com |
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Let's have some fun! |
Saturday 17 February, 3pm | Valley D Vine, 347 State Highway 5, Esk Valley |
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Community Remembrance Karakia |
Sunday 18 February, 10am for karakia, 11am kai |
Clubs Hastings - 308 Victoria Street | Ngāhiwi Tōmoana ngahiwi@kahungunu.co.nz |
