Ka whati te tī, ka wana te tī, ka rito te tī.

 When the Tī (Cabbage Tree) is destroyed, it builds inner strength, then begins to grow again.

Wednesday 14 February 2024 is the one year anniversary since Cyclone Gabrielle devastated our region.

There’s no denying it’s been an incredibly tough year for Hawke’s Bay. Whilst much progress has been made in the recovery of our region, we acknowledge that there is still a long road ahead. 

Our community has pulled together with kindness, courage and commitment, bringing hope and optimism for our ongoing recovery.

We are grateful for the tireless mahi of our remarkable volunteers, agencies, businesses, and wider community who have all supported each other. And of course, to our first responders and agencies who worked so hard in those first days and weeks after, and continue to do so today.

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.

Collectively we recognise that the road to recovery is different for everyone and hope these commemorations are received with the respect, care and gratitude for our community that we hope to convey.

Commemorative events will include:

A minute's silence

Across the region, from Wairoa to Central Hawke’s Bay, we will be unifying for a minute's silence at midday on Wednesday 14 February.  We encourage your 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.

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 This service will be livestreamed via HDC's Facebook page and website here.
NAPIER Commemoration service	Wednesday, 14 February 2024 at 11.45am	The Soundshell, Napier
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

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 Jeannine.epplett@hbdhb.govt.nz
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
Community Remembrance Karakia	Saturday 17 February, 2024, 10am for karakia, 11am kai	Napier RSA - 34 Vautier Street	Ngāhiwi Tōmoana  ngahiwi@kahungunu.co.nz
Let's have some fun! Community Together event	Saturday 17 February, 3pm	Valley D Vine, 347 State Highway 5, Esk Valley
Community resilience celebration	Saturday 17 February, 12 noon	The Duke Hotel Pōrangahau
Community Remembrance Karakia	Sunday 18 February, 10am for karakia, 11am kai	Clubs Hastings - 308 Victoria Street	Ngāhiwi Tōmoana  ngahiwi@kahungunu.co.nz

Hawke’s Bay Together in Black and White

To show our solidarity and support for our region, we encourage you to wear your heart on your sleeve by once again, dressing in Hawke’s Bay colours (black and white) on Wednesday 14 February.

This initiative received overwhelming support when it was launched in March last year and we hope to show the same solidarity again.

How can you get involved?

• Dress in black & white on Wednesday 14 February
• Decorate the town black and white; store windows, shop fronts, letterboxes (anywhere visible!)
• Tell your friends, family, colleagues and customers so they can wear their Hawke’s Bay colours too.

Support services

Approaching the anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle will be difficult for many members of our community so please continue to check-in on your neighbours and friends. If anyone needs additional support during this time please remember help is available. Please see this website for a list of agencies who can offer help.