(Picture caption: Minister for Pacific Peoples Hon Barbara Edmonds visits with the Pacific Response Hub team.)
Māngere resident Viliami Telefoni says fate intervened when a series of events meant his family were not home when floodwaters swept through his house and neighbourhood on January 27.
Viliami, his wife Pingi and four children Simione, 10, Kalolaine, 8, Sanitilala, 7, Siueli’o Langi, 2 were among the thousands of people across Auckland and the upper North Island impacted by last month’s flooding event.
That evening, they happened to be at Viliami’s parents house, waiting to collect Pingi from the airport after her flight was delayed.
“Fortunately, we weren’t at our house…after picking her up we drove home and I turned around when I saw the water in our street was about 1.5m high.
“I dropped the family off at my parents and I returned and swam home to check the house.”
The Tamaki College teacher and musician says floodwater had ripped through the lower storey of his house, destroying his office gear, instruments, speakers and some of his wife’s cultural artefacts.
“I had just moved my home office to the basement area so all my work gear was in there,” Viliami says.
“Yet, this is nothing compared to other families, who have lost their entire livelihoods…we are fortunately insured, and Cyclone Gabrielle did not further damage.
“Four houses across the road have yellow stickers…some people have lost everything.”
Viliami says thanks to the power of social media, he knew what to do on the night of the floods.
“We follow the Ministry for Pacific Peoples on social media, and their messages were really helpful, we knew what to do and where to go for help – the evacuation centre in Māngere, and then to the Pacific Response Hub when it opened.”
He adds his family was made to feel very welcome at the hub set up by Southseas Health Care Trust, Vaka Tautua, Pasefika Family Health Group, Pacific Homecare, Siaola, Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Education and Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People and supported by MPP.
It provided information for Pacific peoples on the support and services available to them.
The hub remained open to help those impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle, before closing on Friday.
The floods coincided with Viliami’s children returning to school, so he and Pingi sought information about financial assistance at the hub as well as a food parcel to see them through the week.
“There was no time to be shy or embarrassed about asking for help…people there were so kind and generous.
“I imagine it was not always a pleasant experience for volunteers helping those in need.”
Viliami adds the hub has been a great support to the community and was well organised.
“I am confident if another disaster hit, they could look at the same agencies to keep us informed on how to access support and services.”
Since the floods, Viliami and his neighbours have cleared their street, and it is nearly back to normal.
“We decided collectively to ensure the drains are always cleared, to help prevent this situation happening again.
“Our community has really come together to help each other.”
If you or loved ones have been affected by the floods or Cyclone Gabrielle, visit the MPP website for detailed information on where to go for assistance with emergency housing, welfare, business support, health concerns, water and wastewater issues, power outages, road closures, Pacific translation services and more.