Re-Building Homes and Hope After Cyclone Gabrielle

The last year and a half have been extremely difficult for Aunty Wai, a resident of Wairoa, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand.

Her home was severely damaged by flooding during Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023. It was uninhabitable.

Aunty Wai was one of thousands affected, who have been working to clean up, rebuild and get on with life.

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On Friday 18 October, Aunty Wai had a reason to smile. She had the chance to walk through her rebuilt home, one of five houses being reconstructed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Two homes are ready, and three more will be completed in the coming weeks.

Aunty Wai’s son, Dr. Turuki Tahuri said, “There’s a saying, I roto i te pōuritanga, ka whiti mai te marama, which essentially means, in times of sadness, light can shine through. This is one of the examples of that.”

He added, “Just to see my nan go back into her home has been moving for us all. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a good smile on her face. There’s nothing like being at home, that warms your heart.”

At a small gathering at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ meetinghouse on Campbell Street, Wairoa last Friday, Aunty Wai, Manu and Julie Amato, recipients of the second rebuilt home; along with family and friends, celebrated the construction of the first two homes.

Attending the event was The Honourable Craig Little, Wairoa Mayor; Denise Eaglesome-Karekare, Wairoa Deputy Mayor; Elder John R. Higgins, Area Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and Arama Puriri, the Church’s Welfare and Self-Reliance Manager for the Pacific Area.

Local leader of the Church of Jesus Christ, Caleb West, oversees Church congregations in Gisborne, Wairoa and surrounding areas. He led the proceedings, which were attended by families, building contractors, neighbours, and friends.

Mayor Little said, “You’ve done it! You’ve really led by example. Your congregations across the country and across the world make this happen. I think you’re amazing!”

In his remarks, Elder Higgins said, “The Church can reach those who may have been overlooked by other supporting organisations, and those who have struggled because they were underinsured. We have come to see the need together as a community, and we are grateful to help.”

Elder Higgins added, “The reason we do this is because of our love for Jesus Christ and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each Sunday we are reminded of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us, how He suffered for us. When we leave the church meetinghouse, we are a little better and a little kinder. We feel that when we serve our neighbours we are serving God, and that’s what brings us to these moments.”

Mayor Little presented framed artwork depicting Jesus Christ to the two homeowners.

Arama Puriri said, “We have been able to perform this work through the generous donations from the members of the Church.”

He continued, “Our Saviour, Jesus Christ, is the perfect example of ministering to those that are in need. It’s a blessing for us all to be a part of the Church humanitarian efforts that care for those that are in need.”

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