SUPPORT APPRECIATED
A big shout out to the Māori Wardens who provided much-needed on-the-ground support in Wairoa following the June flooding.
Wairoa recovery Manager Te Aroha Cook said she is very grateful to have had this team on the ground checking in on people’s welfare and providing support. “This group went above and beyond, and we really appreciate their work.”
The Māori Wardens also ran the Pātaka – a distribution centre for essential items. While some supplies are still available, the Pātaka is no longer open to the public. If you need essential items or supplies, please fill out a Customer Service Request, which will be assessed.
PĀTAKA PROVIDED A VITAL ROLE
Thousands of dollars of essential items, food supplies, and building products have been distributed through the Wairoa Pātaka.
The Pātaka was Established by Tātau Tātau o te Wairoa to provide support for Wairoa’s flood-affected whānau directly after Cyclone Gabrielle. It was initially set up to manage the vast amounts of donations coming into town, allowing distribution to be approached in a planned way with every incoming and outgoing item recorded – right down to the last tin.
Led by Mark Thompson, the Pātaka has been the distribution hub to put food on the table and provide for many people who lost everything. The aim was to run the Pātaka to provide support for a year, with the hub closing at the end of March.
Most of the product has now been distributed, with some supplies given to local other service organisations to distribute as needed.
Mark says the Pātaka need has come to a natural conclusion with demand tapering off.
“It has been a big year, and it is emotional to see the Pātaka come to an end, but it is also good to reflect on the achievements and how the hub has supported people and helped them get back on their feet.”
Typically, distribution has involved a reference from a local Non- Government Organisation such as Wairoa Recovery, Wairoa Young Achievers Trust, Enabled, Kahungunu Executive or Te Whare Maire o Tapuwae, which was then packed up by the Pātaka team and delivered.
Mark says he chose to be involved in the Pātaka because he hoped his logistics background would help him make a difference for people. “We are grateful for all the donations that have been received and helped people over the past year, and also, a special thanks to PGG Wrightson for assisting us with the building.”
The Pātaka was Established by Tātau Tātau o te Wairoa to provide support for Wairoa’s flood-affected whānau directly after Cyclone Gabrielle. It was initially set up to manage the vast amounts of donations coming into town, allowing distribution to be approached in a planned way with every incoming and outgoing item recorded – right down to the last tin.
Led by Mark Thompson, the Pātaka has been the distribution hub to put food on the table and provide for many people who lost everything. The aim was to run the Pātaka to provide support for a year, with the hub closing at the end of March.
Most of the product has now been distributed, with some supplies given to local other service organisations to distribute as needed.
Mark says the Pātaka need has come to a natural conclusion with demand tapering off.
“It has been a big year, and it is emotional to see the Pātaka come to an end, but it is also good to reflect on the achievements and how the hub has supported people and helped them get back on their feet.”
Typically, distribution has involved a reference from a local Non- Government Organisation such as Wairoa Recovery, Wairoa Young Achievers Trust, Enabled, Kahungunu Executive or Te Whare Maire o Tapuwae, which was then packed up by the Pātaka team and delivered.
Mark says he chose to be involved in the Pātaka because he hoped his logistics background would help him make a difference for people. “We are grateful for all the donations that have been received and helped people over the past year, and also, a special thanks to PGG Wrightson for assisting us with the building.”
Since it began, the Pātaka has distributed:
- 828 kai parcels
- 744 Sanitary parcels
- 456 Cleaning parcels
- 1220 sheets of plasterboard
The top five movers have been 9020 rolls of toilet paper, 8,114 600ml and litre bottles of water, 6188 410-gram tins of tuna, 5,320 packets of noodles, and 2368 coveralls.
The Wairoa Pātaka has been wrapped up, and manager Mark Thompson is grateful for the donations received and the ability to help people.
Keeping flood-affected whānau going
Providing for Wairoa’s flood-affected people has been a massive undertaking for Wairoa’s Pātaka.
Established by Tātau Tātau o te Wairoa, Pātaka is a hub of essential items, food and supplies for displaced whānau and those in need due to the cyclone.
Led by Mark Thomspon, hundreds of kai and hygiene packs have been distributed to put food on the table and provide for the many people who have lost everything.
Mark, supported by Christina Hau and Roydon Taylor, said that at the peak of need, around 20 kai boxes were distributed daily. “We are now down to about six kai packs going out every week.”
Around 280 kai packs have been distributed since the cyclone, with pet food a hot commodity.
The Pātaka was initially set up to manage the vast amounts of donations coming into town. “We had contributions from all over Aotearoa, and establishing the Pātaka hub meant we could approach distribution in a planned way.
Mark, who has a logistics background of 12 years with a corporate company in Australia, is the perfect fit to manage the enterprise with every incoming and outgoing item recorded – right down to the last tin.
Typically, distribution involves a reference from a local Non-Government Organisation such as Wairoa Recovery, Wairoa Young Achievers Trust, Enabled, Kahungunu Executive or Te Whare Maire o Tapuwae. “These agencies refer people to us; we make up the boxes and then deliver. A standard kai pack, which includes frozen food, will usually feed a family of four for two weeks.
The Pātaka also distributes wheelbarrows, shovels, brooms, dehumidifiers, hygiene packs, clean-up kits, beds and whiteware.
Mark says they see and hear many heartfelt stories, which motivates them to do their best. “We have definitely seen the best and worst.”
While the Pātaka will have to stop at some point, there is still a need and donations and product offers are still coming in. “We are also still sending packs via helicopter out to our isolated communities. In the meantime, we ensure we have a minimum amount of stock to sustain our township for two months. We are still so vulnerable that we want to make sure we have a base supply while we are in rebuild mode in case another event strikes.”
Established by Tātau Tātau o te Wairoa, Pātaka is a hub of essential items, food and supplies for displaced whānau and those in need due to the cyclone.
Led by Mark Thomspon, hundreds of kai and hygiene packs have been distributed to put food on the table and provide for the many people who have lost everything.
Mark, supported by Christina Hau and Roydon Taylor, said that at the peak of need, around 20 kai boxes were distributed daily. “We are now down to about six kai packs going out every week.”
Around 280 kai packs have been distributed since the cyclone, with pet food a hot commodity.
The Pātaka was initially set up to manage the vast amounts of donations coming into town. “We had contributions from all over Aotearoa, and establishing the Pātaka hub meant we could approach distribution in a planned way.
Mark, who has a logistics background of 12 years with a corporate company in Australia, is the perfect fit to manage the enterprise with every incoming and outgoing item recorded – right down to the last tin.
Typically, distribution involves a reference from a local Non-Government Organisation such as Wairoa Recovery, Wairoa Young Achievers Trust, Enabled, Kahungunu Executive or Te Whare Maire o Tapuwae. “These agencies refer people to us; we make up the boxes and then deliver. A standard kai pack, which includes frozen food, will usually feed a family of four for two weeks.
The Pātaka also distributes wheelbarrows, shovels, brooms, dehumidifiers, hygiene packs, clean-up kits, beds and whiteware.
Mark says they see and hear many heartfelt stories, which motivates them to do their best. “We have definitely seen the best and worst.”
While the Pātaka will have to stop at some point, there is still a need and donations and product offers are still coming in. “We are also still sending packs via helicopter out to our isolated communities. In the meantime, we ensure we have a minimum amount of stock to sustain our township for two months. We are still so vulnerable that we want to make sure we have a base supply while we are in rebuild mode in case another event strikes.”
Wairoa’s Pataka team, from left, Christina Hau, Roydon Taylor and manager Mark Thompson.
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