Kia kaha Aucklanders. Coasties know all about the pain of weather events. Some horrific footage coming out of the flooding and damage. Thoughts are with you all. Take care - nga mihi nui.
Quote from: Hectorplains on Jan 28, 2023, 08:14 PMKia kaha Aucklanders. Coasties know all about the pain of weather events. Some horrific footage coming out of the flooding and damage. Thoughts are with you all. Take care - nga mihi nui.
Disturbing footage of the devastating flooding, thoughts are with you Aucklanders. :o
Thanks guys, its a shocker alright. Managed to get back from the very enjoyable long lunch at the Viaduct with a few friends after navigating extreme rain at the Viaduct the likes of which I have never seen before and fording through three rivers and navigating several huge slips. 30 minute journey took nearly 2 hours. Arrived home to no power or water and some water leaking through the wall from the flashing of an overflowing gutter...no major damage thankfully.
Power only just back on an hour or two ago but still no water. I think the Beagle clan got away lightly compared to some poor other souls in Auckland. 249mm of rain in 24 hours, that's absolutely nuts!
How our 'brilliant" civic leaders handled the situation.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/300794503/countdown-to-chaos-as-aucklanders-were-desperately-seeking-safety-officials-were-silent
We're still living in third world conditions with no water. Power came back on for a few hours last evening and then when I woke this morning no power.
Back on again now but for how long ? Not being able to have a shower is starting to really grind my gears a fair bit.
Dramatic pictures https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/in-pictures-dramatic-images-of-aucklands-big-flood/V6SVF5A5T5B7PM2526IUTXYYIA/
Quote from: Basil on Jan 29, 2023, 11:21 AMHow our 'brilliant" civic leaders handled the situation.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/300794503/countdown-to-chaos-as-aucklanders-were-desperately-seeking-safety-officials-were-silent
We're still living in third world conditions with no water. Power came back on for a few hours last evening and then when I woke this morning no power.
Back on again now but for how long ? Not being able to have a shower is starting to really grind my gears a fair bit.
Dramatic pictures https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/in-pictures-dramatic-images-of-aucklands-big-flood/V6SVF5A5T5B7PM2526IUTXYYIA/
Unbelievable weather. Have been up in far north in fishing comp since last Thursday and have had mostly good weather, which was unexpected. SHW1 back to Auckland ok with a few detours. Lots of farms have bad flooding.
Have been catching up on the news. Thoughts are with all the people that have been impacted. Certainly has been a Summer to remember.
Quote from: Shareguy on Jan 30, 2023, 02:02 PMUnbelievable weather. Have been up in far north in fishing comp since last Thursday and have had mostly good weather, which was unexpected. SHW1 back to Auckland ok with a few detours. Lots of farms have bad flooding.
Have been catching up on the news. Thoughts are with all the people that have been impacted. Certainly has been a Summer to remember.
Shocker. Some people in terrible trouble with their homes.
We still have no water, the irony of which with so much outside is not lost on me. Down at the boat loading up water containers and really looking forward to my first hot shower in four days!
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/weather-news/300795141/in-photos-auckland-devastated-by-flooding-slips
Images of the devastation across Auckland.
Our suburb, Titirangi, features in many of these images. I've visited that guy in the water tanker, (photo 4) just up the road from where I live many times in the last few days. Admire his work ethic, he's there from about 7.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. every day.
Another 80-120mm of rain expected in the next 24 hours to fall on already saturated ground....oh my goodness, when will it end!
Jeez ... 80mm-120mm more rain to come
For us oldies thats maybe 5 inches of rain .....that's a lot.
Take care and kia kaha
Big slip happened and was caught on camera https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/roading-contractors-ready-with-excavator-on-site-in-case-more-slips-come-down-on-sh2-in-karangahake-gorge/ILILK65Q2BFVDK3AH7LQGBOM7Q/
It rained like nothing anyone had ever seen before. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland-floods-interactive-map-how-hard-was-your-suburb-hit/OZZ3SVMVFJENBES7C2X2ANQFME/
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/supermarket-rush-scenes-reminiscent-of-lockdown-as-kiwis-prepare-for-cyclone-gabrielle/2ZLPO53XEVCX7HXHJJINABUREI/
The crazies and dooms-dayers have been out in full force today.
Some crazy and aggressive behavior in the supermarket car park when Mrs hound and I got a few supplies this morning. Fortunatly there was enough left on the shelves when we visited our local supermarket but as we left we noticed the traffic really starting to build around mid-day. Not overstating it to suggest some people appeared to be in a mild-moderate state of panic.
I think a lot of people in the upper and east north Island have an accumulated level of anxiety already from weather bombs this year.
Random thought - With obvious global warming impacts on the weather the south island is looking more attractive as a place to live these days.
Quote from: Basil on Feb 11, 2023, 03:50 PMhttps://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/supermarket-rush-scenes-reminiscent-of-lockdown-as-kiwis-prepare-for-cyclone-gabrielle/2ZLPO53XEVCX7HXHJJINABUREI/
The crazies and dooms-dayers have been out in full force today.
Some crazy and aggressive behavior in the supermarket car park when Mrs hound and I got a few supplies this morning. Fortunatly there was enough left on the shelves when we visited our local supermarket but as we left we noticed the traffic really starting to build around mid-day. Not overstating it to suggest some people appeared to be in a mild-moderate state of panic.
I think a lot of people in the upper and east north Island have an accumulated level of anxiety already from weather bombs this year.
Random thought - With obvious global warming impacts on the weather the south island is looking more attractive as a place to live these days.
Now that Covid is over the media have nothing else to do but find something else to create fear and panic over, as that generates clicks and ad revenues. Its been three days so far of "OMG a cyclone is coming, the end is nigh" on the front page of the Stuff and Herald. I got up this morning and thought "FFS isnt this over yet? What do you mean its still not even here?". I'm laying odds on it will blow right past and nothing will happen, and its all just more media fake news.
I think you should definitely head down, we've had lovely weather this summer, if you like non stop heat and sunny days.
Seems to me they can't win either way.
If they did not warn us and something does/did happen, there will be all the bleating about why did not tell/warn us, if nothing much happens, then nobody will believe them next time!
E hika ma! Biblical amounts of rain on the East Coast. Anyone keen on floating (sorry...) an Ark building company? I reckon a bodged together backdoor listing would attract floods (okay, I'll stop now...) of cash!
Best wishes with coping with the extreme weather mate. Doesn't look good down your way and they haven't cleared the rivers from all the forestry slash from the last deluge yet. What a "summer" it's been so far!!
Kia kaha.
With all the school closures we might as well just give up on educating kids and just send them down the mines or teach them to sew t-shirts
Quote from: KW on Feb 11, 2023, 04:30 PMNow that Covid is over the media have nothing else to do but find something else to create fear and panic over, as that generates clicks and ad revenues. Its been three days so far of "OMG a cyclone is coming, the end is nigh" on the front page of the Stuff and Herald. I got up this morning and thought "FFS isnt this over yet? What do you mean its still not even here?". I'm laying odds on it will blow right past and nothing will happen, and its all just more media fake news.
I think you should definitely head down, we've had lovely weather this summer, if you like non stop heat and sunny days.
Seems like the media were right and not just pushing fake news as you suggest. Stay safe up there people
Quote from: KW on Feb 11, 2023, 04:30 PMNow that Covid is over the media have nothing else to do but find something else to create fear and panic over, as that generates clicks and ad revenues. Its been three days so far of "OMG a cyclone is coming, the end is nigh" on the front page of the Stuff and Herald. I got up this morning and thought "FFS isnt this over yet? What do you mean its still not even here?". I'm laying odds on it will blow right past and nothing will happen, and its all just more media fake news.
I think you should definitely head down, we've had lovely weather this summer, if you like non stop heat and sunny days.
Considering you've recently visited Auckland and experienced the almost biblical level of rain I think your post is "insensitive". Many people are really struggling to cope up here and right across huge parts of the north island. I guess its too easy to be an armchair critic from the comfort, warmth and safety of your home in the South Island. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/cyclone-gabrielle-live-updates-on-emergency-situation-ministers-hold-beehive-bunker-briefing-30-weather-warnings-across-entire-country/B57BSKLXZJHT5ONBEXGFQIG2YQ/
I'm really surprised we still have power today, for now. Best wishes to all affected by this, yet another, horrendous weather bomb.
Quote from: Basil on Feb 13, 2023, 11:57 AMConsidering you've recently visited Auckland and experienced the almost biblical level of rain I think your post is "insensitive". Many people are really struggling to cope up here and right across huge parts of the north island. I guess its too easy to be an armchair critic from the comfort, warmth and safety of your home in the South Island. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/cyclone-gabrielle-live-updates-on-emergency-situation-ministers-hold-beehive-bunker-briefing-30-weather-warnings-across-entire-country/B57BSKLXZJHT5ONBEXGFQIG2YQ/
Agree with you Basil
Quote from: Basil on Feb 13, 2023, 11:57 AMConsidering you've recently visited Auckland and experienced the almost biblical level of rain I think your post is "insensitive". Many people are really struggling to cope up here and right across huge parts of the north island. I guess its too easy to be an armchair critic from the comfort, warmth and safety of your home in the South Island. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/cyclone-gabrielle-live-updates-on-emergency-situation-ministers-hold-beehive-bunker-briefing-30-weather-warnings-across-entire-country/B57BSKLXZJHT5ONBEXGFQIG2YQ/
I'm really surprised we still have power today, for now. Best wishes to all affected by this, yet another, horrendous weather bomb.
You know its not even a cyclone any more right? It was downgraded to just a low pressure system on Saturday night. Not that the media would even bother to tell you that - no, still calling it a cyclone is much more scary
Heres a live webcam of boats bobbing gently in the harbour .... https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/new-zealand/auckland/auckland/hauraki-gulf.html
Aren't there supposed to be 15 foot waves or something????
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/cyclone-gabrielle-live-updates-on-emergency-situation-30-weather-warnings-in-northland-auckland-coromandel-bay-of-plenty-gisborne-hawkes-bay-taranaki-and-other-centres/B57BSKLXZJHT5ONBEXGFQIG2YQ/
Wind gust of 163 k.p.h. recorded at Channel Island in the Hauraki gulf. Definitely not a good day to take the boat out lol
Labour just need every day to be an emergency between now and October ;D
Quote from: KW on Feb 13, 2023, 01:23 PMLabour just need every day to be an emergency between now and October ;D
LOL that's certainly something we agree on.
Quote from: KW on Feb 13, 2023, 12:41 PMYou know its not even a cyclone any more right? It was downgraded to just a low pressure system on Saturday night. Not that the media would even bother to tell you that - no, still calling it a cyclone is much more scary
Heres a live webcam of boats bobbing gently in the harbour .... https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/new-zealand/auckland/auckland/hauraki-gulf.html
Aren't there supposed to be 15 foot waves or something????
Dunno about Auckland but we have gale force winds - it's hard to stand up outside. The rain is driving down relentlessly in big belts. Already 8 metre waves on the coast and as long as I have ever seen. There's a huge amount of flooding and slips already and we're not even at the worst of it yet - that's around midnight. Large numbers of people are being evacuated. Power is surging so that will be out soon enough. If this is downgraded I'm well happy to avoid any upgrade! Not sure that the phrase, "just a low pressure system" is a helpful description for any part of this.
Quote from: Hectorplains on Feb 13, 2023, 02:40 PMDunno about Auckland but we have gale force winds - it's hard to stand up outside.
Isnt that just an average day in Wellington?
Quote from: KW on Feb 13, 2023, 03:53 PMIsnt that just an average day in Wellington?
Not an average day but not an uncommon day ..... and I often look out at the 9m swells that come up from the south ... quite spectacular breaking over the rocks
Quote from: KW on Feb 13, 2023, 12:41 PMYou know its not even a cyclone any more right? It was downgraded to just a low pressure system on Saturday night. Not that the media would even bother to tell you that - no, still calling it a cyclone is much more scary
Heres a live webcam of boats bobbing gently in the harbour .... https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/new-zealand/auckland/auckland/hauraki-gulf.html
Aren't there supposed to be 15 foot waves or something????
I dont know which planet you live on but from what I have seen and heard (from relatives who live in Auckland) things are pretty bad up North. People are without power and people are being evacuated from their homes, thats not a mild weather event. And as far as I am aware it is still being called a cyclone by the Met Services not just your so called fake news media
I snuck up north to an old family batch yesterday. Northland has been taking a hammering. Has been raining solidly since 1 pm yesterday. I'm surprised the roof is still on. We have had plenty of leaks keeping me busy. Unfortunately there is a lot of people that have lost roofs and haven't been so lucky.
Stay safe everyone.
Quote from: ShiningStar on Feb 13, 2023, 06:02 PMI dont know which planet you live on but from what I have seen and heard (from relatives who live in Auckland) things are pretty bad up North. People are without power and people are being evacuated from their homes, thats not a mild weather event. And as far as I am aware it is still being called a cyclone by the Met Services not just your so called fake news media
I think you just call it a "storm" now. At least thats what the rest of the world is calling it. You know, one of those things that happen all the time, used to be called "bad weather". Now everything is a NATIONAL EMERGENCY!
screenshot-www.bbc.com-2023.02.13-21_15_24.png
4 trees down on our property.
No power.
Massive winds overnight and a lot of rain.
Just another storm...Yeah right!
Quote from: Basil on Feb 14, 2023, 08:29 AM4 trees down on our property.
No power.
Massive winds overnight and a lot of rain.
Just another storm...Yeah right!
That's a bugger Basil.
Take care
Quote from: KW on Feb 13, 2023, 09:18 PMI think you just call it a "storm" now. At least thats what the rest of the world is calling it. You know, one of those things that happen all the time, used to be called "bad weather". Now everything is a NATIONAL EMERGENCY!
screenshot-www.bbc.com-2023.02.13-21_15_24.png
Just another storm :o WOW you are totally out of touch with reality! Try telling that to the families whose homes have been flooded and damaged and those without power that may take days or weeks to be reconnected. I have family members in that situation so pull your head in, your posts are rubbish and insensitive
Quote from: ShiningStar on Feb 14, 2023, 10:25 AMJust another storm :o WOW you are totally out of touch with reality! Try telling that to the families whose homes have been flooded and damaged and those without power that may take days or weeks to be reconnected. I have family members in that situation so pull your head in, your posts are rubbish and insensitive
Its hardly Hurricane Katrina level - yet that's what the media was making it out to be. Its not even Queensland or NSW floods level (FYI Queensland had 6 floods in 6 months last year, lost 20,000 houses and 23 people died, Northern NSW lost 7,800 houses in their one - Auckland lost 250 houses in comparison).
I guess you and I have very different ideas of what a national disaster is. Floods and storms like what just happened in the Nth Island happens every year in Australia, its part and parcel of life. Australia doesnt shut down an entire city or State just because a river is due to flood or there is a storm coming. Melbourne flooded last year as well - again, they just dealt with it without all the dramatics.
Yes its unfortunate for the people who got flooded or had a tree fall onto their roof. Hopefully they have insurance. But in comparison to REAL disasters this is still nothing. You should be grateful for that.
Quote from: KW on Feb 14, 2023, 10:49 AMIts hardly Hurricane Katrina level - yet that's what the media was making it out to be. Its not even Queensland or NSW floods level (FYI Queensland had 6 floods in 6 months last year, lost 20,000 houses and 23 people died, Northern NSW lost 7,800 houses in their one - Auckland lost 250 houses in comparison).
I guess you and I have very different ideas of what a national disaster is. Floods and storms like what just happened in the Nth Island happens every year in Australia, its part and parcel of life. Australia doesnt shut down an entire city or State just because a river is due to flood or there is a storm coming. Melbourne flooded last year as well - again, they just dealt with it without all the dramatics.
Yes its unfortunate for the people who got flooded or had a tree fall onto their roof. Hopefully they have insurance. But in comparison to REAL disasters this is still nothing. You should be grateful for that.
Yes I think its fair to say we have nothing in common. Try telling the people actually affected by this "storm" it is nothing and they should be grateful.
Quote from: winner (n) on Feb 14, 2023, 08:57 AMThat's a bugger Basil.
Take care
Thanks mate. Thankfully none were the huge old pine trees behind our house.
Biggest problem was the one in front that blocked the road. Council were on to that really quick which was impressive. Equally impressive my daughter was a huge help dealing with the other small trees. Bloody awesome to get support like that. Haven't
always had a good relationship with her but she was there for me with her trusty Still chainsaw when I needed her this morning and that means a LOT!
Best wishes to all affected by this horrendous cyclone. I hope you all get fabulous support like I have.
Quote from: ShiningStar on Feb 14, 2023, 11:14 AMYes I think its fair to say we have nothing in common. Try telling the people actually affected by this "storm" it is nothing and they should be grateful.
Its climate change (apparently) in which case people are going to have to get used to this happening on a regular basis. Like Australians are used to it happening. We cant go on shutting everything down every time there is a storm or flooding event. Systems need to be put in place so that its just dealt with smoothly, the way Australia just gets on with it. Things like the airport not cancelling flights or closing schools for 2 days - that would be unheard of in Australia.
I spent 13 years in Australia. Brisbane had serious floods in 9 out of those 14 years. Including one in 2011 where 35 people died and 200,000 people had damaged homes.
Quote from: Basil on Feb 14, 2023, 08:29 AM4 trees down on our property.
No power.
Massive winds overnight and a lot of rain.
Just another storm...Yeah right!
Its my understanding that where you are, you are restricted in your ability to remove or maintain trees - is that still true? In which case people probably have a lot of dangerous trees that are just sitting there waiting for a strong wind to blow them over, when really they need to be removed or substantially pruned. A bit like the wild fires are due to no-one being able to back burn anymore. The greenies are so busy worrying about the environment they forget about the people living in it.
Yeah Titirangi is part of the Waitakere green belt in Auckland.
My daughter seemed to relish the chance to use her chainsaw. There are a lot of regulations about not being able to cut down certain trees over 3 meters high.
Danger to one's property or wellbeing is a valid exemption though so we are going to be doing a good risk assessment after the dust has settled.
Quote from: Basil on Feb 14, 2023, 12:25 PMYeah Titirangi is part of the Waitakere green belt in Auckland.
My daughter seemed to relish the chance to use her chainsaw. There are a lot of regulations about not being able to cut down certain trees over 3 meters high.
Danger to one's property or wellbeing is a valid exemption though so we are going to be doing a good risk assessment after the dust has settled.
You might want to raise that with your local MP - as above, I think these types of storms are probably going to be regular occurrences as NZ's weather becomes more like Australia. Hopefully you got some good firewood out of it :D
Quote from: KW on Feb 13, 2023, 11:13 AMWith all the school closures we might as well just give up on educating kids and just send them down the mines or teach them to sew t-shirts
Maybe we overate the role of our schools for education - I guess for many parents the schools here are just a place looking after the children so that they can make money instead of looking after their off spring.
Maybe you should talk with some people from the war generation growing up in central Europe (e.g. 1940 to 1945 in Berlin)?
My father was a school boy in Berlin (He turned 14 in 1945). Missed nearly half of the school time covering up instead in air shelters, and if there was no current attack the school children had to collect bomb fragments so that the metal could be reused. I guess you could call this some sort of science class?
Actually - he had with more than 2 school years missing a very successful career after the war, starting at the bottom of a large company and 20 years later running it (as MD).
If our kids don't succeed, than it is not another missed school day, but that many of them never learned the value of discipline, they never learned to respect others, they never learned how to learn and many of them never learned how to properly read and write. Unfortunately they don't teach any of that anymore in NZ schools (that seems to be now a voluntary add on which some parents still do provide ... but others prefer to whinge instead about missing school days).
Quote from: BlackPeter on Feb 14, 2023, 01:31 PMMaybe we overate the role of our schools for education - I guess for many parents the schools here are just a place looking after the children so that they can make money instead of looking after their off spring.
Maybe you should talk with some people from the war generation growing up in central Europe (e.g. 1940 to 1945 in Berlin)?
My father was a school boy in Berlin (He turned 14 in 1945). Missed nearly half of the school time covering up instead in air shelters, and if there was no current attack the school children had to collect bomb fragments so that the metal could be reused. I guess you could call this some sort of science class?
Actually - he had with more than 2 school years missing a very successful career after the war, starting at the bottom of a large company and 20 years later running it (as MD).
If our kids don't succeed, than it is not another missed school day, but that many of them never learned the value of discipline, they never learned to respect others, they never learned how to learn and many of them never learned how to properly read and write. Unfortunately they don't teach any of that anymore in NZ schools (that seems to be now a voluntary add on which some parents still do provide ... but others prefer to whinge instead about missing school days).
That is true. But not attending school does not help things. Apparently only 27% of Maori kids are now attending school regularly - and that will feed into loss of employability, welfare dependence, drug and alcohol abuse, and criminal offending. Its too late to park an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff, we need to do more to stop them falling off it in the first place. Sending a message that school and education is important is a start.
Interestingly, my nephew just left school after Year 12 (6th form for those of us old school). As did his girlfriend, and a lot of his friends. The boys have gone into trades, the girl is knocking around doing retail work while figuring out what she wants to do. This from a prestigious boys school too. While I am no fan of kids going to Uni simply because they don't know what else to do (incurring huge student debts for nothing) it does make me wonder about these kids who have had the last 3 years of their schooling substantially disrupted. Many have left because they are simply not able to keep up with the pre-Covid curriculum as they have serious deficits from the lockdown periods and all the school closures due to Covid outbreaks. I hope they turn out okay.
Quote from: KW on Feb 14, 2023, 01:45 PMThat is true. But not attending school does not help things. Apparently only 27% of Maori kids are now attending school regularly - and that will feed into loss of employability, welfare dependence, drug and alcohol abuse, and criminal offending. Its too late to park an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff, we need to do more to stop them falling off it in the first place. Sending a message that school and education is important is a start.
Interestingly, my nephew just left school after Year 12 (6th form for those of us old school). As did his girlfriend, and a lot of his friends. The boys have gone into trades, the girl is knocking around doing retail work while figuring out what she wants to do. This from a prestigious boys school too. While I am no fan of kids going to Uni simply because they don't know what else to do (incurring huge student debts for nothing) it does make me wonder about these kids who have had the last 3 years of their schooling substantially disrupted. Many have left because they are simply not able to keep up with the pre-Covid curriculum as they have serious deficits from the lockdown periods and all the school closures due to Covid outbreaks. I hope they turn out okay.
Fair enough ... and it appears anyway we do agree vehemently.
Schools are important, however - they need to convey the right things (discipline, respect, to learn how to learn and proper reading / writing).
Unfortunately - at this stage in NZ they don't seem to be very good in doing that, no matter whether they are open or closed.
This is
not Australia, and this is
not a "normal weather event" for New Zealand. Not yet, anyway, although it may well become so in the future.
The media wasn't making it out to be anything. They were conveying information from meteorologists - the experts on weather patterns and events, and emergency response officials. That is a large part of the media's role - conveying important, "official" information to New Zealanders.
This event
is a disaster - whether you class it as a "National" disaster or not, is a matter of semantics. Our country is small enough for any major weather event such as this, to warrant that label. The cost to the country will be huge, which is most definitely a
National disaster and concern.
Given our apparent over-reaction to natural disasters, our terrible education system, and the fact that our kids are all going to become illiterate drop-outs due to lockdown, you don't seem particularly happy living here. Maybe Aussie would be a much better fit for you.
Quote from: KW on Feb 14, 2023, 10:49 AMIts hardly Hurricane Katrina level - yet that's what the media was making it out to be. Its not even Queensland or NSW floods level (FYI Queensland had 6 floods in 6 months last year, lost 20,000 houses and 23 people died, Northern NSW lost 7,800 houses in their one - Auckland lost 250 houses in comparison).
I guess you and I have very different ideas of what a national disaster is. Floods and storms like what just happened in the Nth Island happens every year in Australia, its part and parcel of life. Australia doesnt shut down an entire city or State just because a river is due to flood or there is a storm coming. Melbourne flooded last year as well - again, they just dealt with it without all the dramatics.
Yes its unfortunate for the people who got flooded or had a tree fall onto their roof. Hopefully they have insurance. But in comparison to REAL disasters this is still nothing. You should be grateful for that.
Quote from: Untamed on Feb 14, 2023, 06:04 PMGiven our apparent over-reaction to natural disasters, our terrible education system, and the fact that our kids are all going to become illiterate drop-outs due to lockdown, you don't seem particularly happy living here. Maybe Aussie would be a much better fit for you.
All my money is still in Australia, and it shall remain there. I can indeed leave any time I like, which is how I like it. Sadly others are less fortunate, so perhaps it would be better if NZ lifted its game instead?
the south island is a pretty sweet place to live though - notwithstanding all the attractions of australia.
Quote from: Fiordland Moose on Feb 14, 2023, 06:26 PMthe south island is a pretty sweet place to live though - notwithstanding all the attractions of australia.
well, if you don't count the two big earthquakes (only one of which was declared a national emergency btw). SH1 was closed for over a year after the Kaikoura one, lets hope the North Island roads open a lot faster, because I can tell you a 6 hour detour is a real pain in the you know what. It took 4 years for the roadworks to be finished and the road open without stop/go's and 30 kmph restrictions.
Such widespread and massive destruction with loss of lives and homes and livelihoods :(
Including the death of the missing firefighter :'( so so sad
My heart goes out to everyone affected by this horrendous weather event.
Take care up there people
Yep. It will take years to repair the damage the area has suffered over the past few weeks. The sheer magnitude of potential insurance claims will no doubt mean weeks/months of uncertainty for those affected. Not a great start to the year for them sadly.
Quote from: ShiningStar on Feb 15, 2023, 03:29 PMSuch widespread and massive destruction with loss of lives and homes and livelihoods :(
Including the death of the missing firefighter :'( so so sad
My heart goes out to everyone affected by this horrendous weather event.
Take care up there people
Quote from: ShiningStar on Feb 15, 2023, 03:29 PMSuch widespread and massive destruction with loss of lives and homes and livelihoods :(
Including the death of the missing firefighter :'( so so sad
My heart goes out to everyone affected by this horrendous weather event.
Take care up there people
Thanks mate.
Its a real shocker. Worst weather event in N.Z. this century for sure.
No power for 2 days now but our problems are very minor compared to many others.
Here's the 'road' out of here! I might not be going anywhere for a while. Nice to have to power and internet back on - even if it's intermittently.
WOW! That's not going to be fixed quickly. Best wishes mate.
Still no power here.
Quote from: Hectorplains on Feb 15, 2023, 10:22 PMHere's the 'road' out of here! I might not be going anywhere for a while. Nice to have to power and internet back on - even if it's intermittently.
Jeepers...that's a major
Take care and all the best.
BUY Higgins or if you could Fulton hogan... black gold laying roads
Quote from: Hectorplains on Feb 15, 2023, 10:22 PMHere's the 'road' out of here! I might not be going anywhere for a while. Nice to have to power and internet back on - even if it's intermittently.
Just jump it bro!(https://i.imgur.com/mR5KuaQ.gif)
I'm in Hawkes Bay and this is a major disaster. Due to the lack of local communication abilities, we do not yet know the full extent of damage. Hundreds rescued from rooftops after a stop bank gave way. Entire communities flooded - some up to or over the roofline. And there will be other communities in valleys that have not yet featured on the news. So many bridges out, as well as power, internet & phone. There are hundreds of people missing / uncontactable. There are unconfirmed reports of bodies seen floating. Panic buying is happening. It must be worse in Gisborne. We have had some damage to our property but the house is ok and we are ok. Some people are doing it really tough out there.
It is time we sat down as a Nation and solved the issue with forestry slash. This keeps happening again and again and again. It is total BS. In addition, each cell phone tower should have it's own electricity generation capacity e.g. solar plus battery in case of massive outages. To simply rely on the electricity network is also BS. My ISP can do it but Spark and Vodafone can't?? I look at the roads, the cellular network, the electricity network, the leaky buildings, where we build houses and I have concluded we are a cheap ass nation - everything is done on the cheap and no-one is to blame. I'm over the "number 8 wire" mentality, just bloody do it properly the first time.
Quote from: Ferg on Feb 16, 2023, 07:30 PMI'm in Hawkes Bay and this is a major disaster. Due to the lack of local communication abilities, we do not yet know the full extent of damage. Hundreds rescued from rooftops after a stop bank gave way. Entire communities flooded - some up to or over the roofline. And there will be other communities in valleys that have not yet featured on the news. So many bridges out, as well as power, internet & phone. There are hundreds of people missing / uncontactable. There are unconfirmed reports of bodies seen floating. Panic buying is happening. It must be worse in Gisborne. We have had some damage to our property but the house is ok and we are ok. Some people are doing it really tough out there.
It is time we sat down as a Nation and solved the issue with forestry slash. This keeps happening again and again and again. It is total BS. In addition, each cell phone tower should have it's own electricity generation capacity e.g. solar plus battery in case of massive outages. To simply rely on the electricity network is also BS. My ISP can do it but Spark and Vodafone can't?? I look at the roads, the cellular network, the electricity network, the leaky buildings, where we build houses and I have concluded we are a cheap ass nation - everything is done on the cheap and no-one is to blame. I'm over the "number 8 wire" mentality, just bloody do it properly the first time.
And nothing is ever fixed fast. I hope you still have some roads open, as it took 13 months for them to reopen SH1 to traffic after the Kaikoura earthquake! Another 3 years before all the roadwork was actually finished. You would think that in a country prone to devastating earthquakes that there would be resilience built into the system, but there isnt.
Have to wonder how many people are re accessing EVS after the floods. Not much good if you can't charge or even move them out of the garage. Then there's water damage.
I'm thinking of adding submersible pump, another chainsaw and maybe a portable generator to the household.
Quote from: Shareguy on Feb 19, 2023, 03:49 PMHave to wonder how many people are re accessing EVS after the floods. Not much good if you can't charge or even move them out of the garage. Then there's water damage.
I'm thinking of adding submersible pump, another chainsaw and maybe a portable generator to the household.
I hear you! My thinking though, is that with a diesel generator it means you're storing it and diesel (my garage is chokka as it is without more bulky items) and the outlay is only returned if/when you need to turn the thing on. I'm looking at other off grid options like solar with battery storage. That gives bang for buck all year around and if nature strikes.
Slash (https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300810598/the-river-valley-near-ruatoria-that-keeps-getting-hammered-by-cyclones-and-storms)- well passed time that this issue was brought to heel.
Shocking state of affairs with forestry slash. Landowners who have harvested must be held to account with costs.
Power finally back on here after 6 days but still posting from my phone with no internet available on my computer.
Never enjoyed a hot shower as much as I did this morning.
Quote from: Hectorplains on Feb 19, 2023, 04:33 PMSlash (https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300810598/the-river-valley-near-ruatoria-that-keeps-getting-hammered-by-cyclones-and-storms)- well passed time that this issue was brought to heel.
It needs to be sorted all right. Has been going on for years. Maybe time to stop planting pines and plant high value natives. Natives seem more stable in the ground.
Quote from: Shareguy on Feb 19, 2023, 06:24 PMIt needs to be sorted all right. Has been going on for years. Maybe time to stop planting pines and plant high value natives. Natives seem more stable in the ground.
Don't worry, carbon farming will soon be more profitable than actual forestry or animal farming. We'll all be living surrounded by trees shortly.
Quote from: KW on Feb 19, 2023, 06:37 PMDon't worry, carbon farming will soon be more profitable than actual forestry or animal farming. We'll all be living surrounded by trees shortly.
Carbon plantings have saved several highly indebted farms that I know of here on the East Coast. One in particular that I was helping with, had run out of all banking options and it was trees or give over the keys. The planting hasn't impacted on the farm's animal capacity, as the land planted is really only good for trees. However; under ETS not all trees are equal. Dirty old pines currently earn 2 to 3 times more credits than indigenous trees. Natives are also more expensive to buy. This farm planted poplars as they are cheap and support erosion prevention. Poplars can be spaced at low-density, as the current ETS requirements for number of stems is low and they yield a large number of credits. Native regeneration would have been preferred but the economics did not stack up.
How many of us wish we still had a copper line. Fibre is good until the power is out.
No internet on my copper line yet either. Can't do any real work today...go boating instead, life is "harsh" ;D
Quote from: Hectorplains on Feb 19, 2023, 10:38 PMunder ETS not all trees are equal. Dirty old pines currently earn 2 to 3 times more credits than indigenous trees.
Why is that? I'd have a thought a tree is a tree, in regards to the amount of carbon they sink.
Quote from: KW on Feb 20, 2023, 01:39 PMWhy is that? I'd have a thought a tree is a tree, in regards to the amount of carbon they sink.
This is the supposed reason - believe it or not 8)
Landowners planting forests for carbon credits should plant pine trees rather than natives to achieve the best returns, a carbon consultant says.
Ollie Belton, a partner of Permanent Forests NZ a Christchurch-based carbon consultancy, said that the rate that natives absorb carbon dioxide was much lower than for pinus radiata.
Sequestration calculations used by the Emissions Trading Scheme for forests under 100 hectares showed that pinus radiata absorbed almost 1000 tonnes of carbon over 25 years, while native forests absorbed less than 300 tonnes.
Belton said measurements he had done on native forests of more than 100ha showed most performed less than the ETS calculations, some only achieving a half to a third of this. In contrast, many pine forests performed better than the default figures.
Quote from: Crackity on Feb 20, 2023, 03:30 PMThis is the supposed reason - believe it or not 8)
Landowners planting forests for carbon credits should plant pine trees rather than natives to achieve the best returns, a carbon consultant says.
Ollie Belton, a partner of Permanent Forests NZ a Christchurch-based carbon consultancy, said that the rate that natives absorb carbon dioxide was much lower than for pinus radiata.
Sequestration calculations used by the Emissions Trading Scheme for forests under 100 hectares showed that pinus radiata absorbed almost 1000 tonnes of carbon over 25 years, while native forests absorbed less than 300 tonnes.
Belton said measurements he had done on native forests of more than 100ha showed most performed less than the ETS calculations, some only achieving a half to a third of this. In contrast, many pine forests performed better than the default figures.
Pine has its place. It is not the best tree to plant in erosion zones and then there is the ongoing wilding pine issue. All native trees are treated as if they had identical properties from Kauri to Kanuka. ETS needs to take into account a wider range of factors. Anyway, I've taken this miles off topic.
Quote from: Hectorplains on Feb 20, 2023, 04:03 PMPine has its place. It is not the best tree to plant in erosion zones and then there is the ongoing wilding pine issue. All native trees are treated as if they had identical properties from Kauri to Kanuka. ETS needs to take into account a wider range of factors. Anyway, I've taken this miles off topic.
An interesting off topic though
The carbon ETS issue and vested interests are skewing the rational response to planting more natives
Just got internet back on but no power yet. Power has been out here (Rissington) since tuesday with power not due back on till next month. Thought I would check my Electric Kiwi app & it shows I am using 15kWh per day while in a black out!
Any one else out there on Electric Kiwi getting charged during a power outage?
Quote from: Hectorplains on Feb 19, 2023, 04:09 PMI'm thinking of adding submersible pump, another chainsaw and maybe a portable generator to the household.
At the risk of stating the obvious, if you buy above the road and slightly elevated then the risk of floods is greatly reduced. I never buy below the road. The thing with a pump is it will need power. Power which you might want to use for other things and it may be ineffective against a tide - although likely ok for tidy up afterwards.
I have a petrol generator and a bunch of kick ass hand and power tools. I fire up the generator once every 6 months to make sure it works. I don't keep too much petrol in it given NZ petrol ages badly. I keep petrol on hand that I use in other tools so I get through it anyway before it deteriorates. My risk is being caught in a weather event with an empty spare tank...
Necessities that proved invaluable were having the generator, cash (EFTPOS network was down), spare petrol, long power cables, multi-plug power boards, petrol powered tools, a decent arborist pull saw & loppers, gas stove top (& BBQ) for cooking, torch & batteries, non-perishable food, a large water tank plus the usual handyman tools. We have been relatively ok this past week.
The only things we didn't have were a phone on the other cellular network and an old school AM radio to get news updates (note the TV was not a priority when I needed the generator for the water pump, internet and fridge). Yeah it's been a hassle and it still is out without hot water, some power and patchy cell coverage but it's nothing compared to what others are going through.
The lifesaver for us was having Aonet as our ISP. It's a small ISP based in Bulls that deploys self-sustaining microwave stations on hilltops to service rural communities. Vodafone was hopeless despite their e-mails saying otherwise. I don't work for Aonet and have no affiliation (other than being a customer) but I thoroughly recommend them. Fast uncapped service that is reasonably priced.
Quote from: THESTG on Feb 20, 2023, 10:15 PMJust got internet back on but no power yet. Power has been out here (Rissington) since tuesday with power not due back on till next month. Thought I would check my Electric Kiwi app & it shows I am using 15kWh per day while in a black out!
Any one else out there on Electric Kiwi getting charged during a power outage?
All sorted now Their reply to my e-mail:
Apologies for the confusion. We understand that the account balances must have been showing off track for the last few days. You will surely be not charged for the days you have been out of power. The metering company will send us the data and then your account will be reconciled.
The usage you are seeing is estimated and this will be rectified. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Sobering stuff
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300813063/cyclone-gabrielle-startling-new-images-of-the-aftermath
Quote from: Shareguy on Feb 20, 2023, 08:05 AMHow many of us wish we still had a copper line. Fibre is good until the power is out.
Copperline only good if you still have a switch exchange with a battery supplying power over the copperline. Quite old technology ...
You probably need to go these days to the museum to find this sort of stuff ... the last one I saw was in Ferrymead.
Very sobering, and contrary to what some here believed - there is zero doubt that it
IS a "National Disaster."
The worst weather event I have seen in my 62 years, that is for sure.
Quote from: Basil on Feb 22, 2023, 12:32 PMSobering stuff
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300813063/cyclone-gabrielle-startling-new-images-of-the-aftermath
Quote from: Basil on Feb 22, 2023, 12:32 PMSobering stuff
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300813063/cyclone-gabrielle-startling-new-images-of-the-aftermath
[/quote
Yes its sobering stuff thats for sure Basil. The destruction and loss of life from this extreme weather event has been catastrophic. It will take a very long time for people to rebuild their lives. I cant even begin to imagine what it has been like for them. Silt and water up to the ceilings running through their homes, watching loved ones being swept away. How do you cope with having your 2 year old daughter being swept from your arms! :'(
And yes untamed there were people on here claiming this was nothing more than fake news fear mongering by the media. WOW
Very sad. Heartbreaking. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/cyclone-gabrielle-steve-braunias-funeral-for-firefighter-dave-van-zwanenberg-was-an-extraordinary-event/J5I67AFNSRDS5DRMMTQ7EYCEEE/
Quote from: Basil on Feb 22, 2023, 08:39 PMVery sad. Heartbreaking. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/cyclone-gabrielle-steve-braunias-funeral-for-firefighter-dave-van-zwanenberg-was-an-extraordinary-event/J5I67AFNSRDS5DRMMTQ7EYCEEE/
Absolutely heartbreaking :'( :'(
Survived another night of it but sounds like it was chaos us Mangawhai way. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/seemed-worse-than-cyclone-gabrielle-mangawhai-reels-from-more-flash-flooding/GHHZ2EACKNC2FGJWC2SO4UT6UE/
Heard yesterday they wrote off Mrs Hounds Honda.
Need to sort out something else for her. Forget about Toyota Rav 4 hybrids, sold out until 2024.
Quote from: Basil on Feb 25, 2023, 03:37 PMSurvived another night of it but sounds like it was chaos us Mangawhai way. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/seemed-worse-than-cyclone-gabrielle-mangawhai-reels-from-more-flash-flooding/GHHZ2EACKNC2FGJWC2SO4UT6UE/
Heard yesterday they wrote off Mrs Hounds Honda.
Need to sort out something else for her. Forget about Toyota Rav 4 hybrids, sold out until 2024.
Yeah, enough already of the wet stuff, eh. Here's a classic! (https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/morris/mini/listing/4006288302)
Quote from: Hectorplains on Feb 25, 2023, 03:54 PMYeah, enough already of the wet stuff, eh. Here's a classic! (https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/morris/mini/listing/4006288302)
Nice if you like a car to fix and screw around ... but not quite sure its as well a good idea for somebody who wants a car to bring them safe and reliable from A to B.
Not sure either how Minis fare with the increased amount of water on the roads ... They might be already a write off if they fall into one of the increasing number of potholes on our roads filled with a bit of water ...
Quote from: Hectorplains on Feb 25, 2023, 03:54 PMYeah, enough already of the wet stuff, eh. Here's a classic! (https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/morris/mini/listing/4006288302)
Shame its not yellow and we could do a re-run of Goodbye Pork Pye.
Tax Payer union pod cast on the big wash out... and the department that spends the most on food... You quested it... Pacific islands... If we decommissions all the departments imagine the insfrusture country could have...
https://www.buzzsprout.com/944017/12332610-peter-williams-hosts-taxpayer-talk-nick-stewart-on-the-impacts-of-cyclone-gabrielle
Quote from: Waltzing on Mar 01, 2023, 09:16 PMand the department that spends the most on food... You quested it... Pacific islands
I haven't listened to the podcast but I'm not sure of the point of the part I quoted. Care to elaborate?
In my experience, a lot of shit gets done over meals. It is a way of bringing people together. One client I was working with, their P&L was like this:
- client expenses = food
- conferences = food
- entertainment = food
- general expenses = food
- selling expenses = food
- travel expenses = food
I'm sure I have missed some but they got results.
Well the government need money... lots of money...
I quess the Tax Payer union is saying if all department brought there own cut lunch it would help pay for stuff like bridges on the coast..
The PODCAST was about the damage on the East Coast...
Then it did a dig on which department spends the most on entertainment.... and on which department might therefore be over weight in more ways then one!!!
Well i remember treasury once proudly telling Dear Ruth they had only ever gone out for PiZZA once that year....
???
The Tax Payer union is out to privatise government......
Well there is nothing else left in the country worth listing one supposes?
???
Quote from: THESTG on Feb 21, 2023, 02:31 PMAll sorted now Their reply to my e-mail:
Apologies for the confusion. We understand that the account balances must have been showing off track for the last few days. You will surely be not charged for the days you have been out of power. The metering company will send us the data and then your account will be reconciled.
The usage you are seeing is estimated and this will be rectified. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Wow Electric Kiwi now want to replace our meter because they are not receiving updates. Don't they know we have a state of emergancy and their meters don't work during a power cut. Well good luck on them trying to get here to replace our meter because our bridge has been destroyed and we are isolated!
Quote from: THESTG on Mar 05, 2023, 10:14 AMWow Electric Kiwi now want to replace our meter because they are not receiving updates. Don't they know we have a state of emergancy and their meters don't work during a power cut. Well good luck on them trying to get here to replace our meter because our bridge has been destroyed and we are isolated!
And they're supposed it be the more nimble, customer focussed option, eh.
Vodafone sent me a warning letter as my internet was overdue by a week. They got a filthy reply explaining it's actually not possible to pay when you have no internet and you've been physically cut off from other centres. This included detailed instructions on where they could stick their warning letter and an equally unreasonable counter demand for compensation due to their lack of cell and internet service.
Unfortunately, mate, Vodafail have a very poor history when it comes to reading the room.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/the-front-page-slash-crisis-how-did-we-allow-the-forestry-sector-to-get-away-with-this-for-so-long/HUABGUIVS5CXRKD4E2TQTPFBUE/
Very powerful image. I really feel for you guys, what's been allowed to happen with slash is absolutely disgraceful.
Quote from: Basil on Mar 06, 2023, 11:11 AMUnfortunately, mate, Vodafail have a very poor history when it comes to reading the room.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/the-front-page-slash-crisis-how-did-we-allow-the-forestry-sector-to-get-away-with-this-for-so-long/HUABGUIVS5CXRKD4E2TQTPFBUE/
Very powerful image. I really feel for you guys, what's been allowed to happen with slash is absolutely disgraceful.
$70k fine?! (https://www.amazon.com/Amusing-Ourselves-Death-Neil-Postman/dp/0413404404?crid=23Q4Y7TK5FHWJ&keywords=amusing+ourselves+to+death,+by+neil+postman&qid=1691060558&sprefix=Amusing+Ourselves+to+Death,aps,360&sr=8-3&linkCode=sl1&tag=englishlit05b-20&linkId=9051d33b638e55172e981811db6e612b&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl&fbclid=IwAR3DS-wbM60hVu9C31gsDw0OAs2FW7GnAXRVflNf3uhI7IC-DS3Tb2Gp0cQ) That's a drop in the slash fill ocean to these clowns and their flagrant disregard for multiple regulations. It's so out of kilter with the heavy fines that Work Safe dole out for minor breaches that impact only the user, like no helmet on a quad bike.
Quote from: Hectorplains on Dec 04, 2023, 08:20 PM$70k fine?! (https://www.amazon.com/Amusing-Ourselves-Death-Neil-Postman/dp/0413404404?crid=23Q4Y7TK5FHWJ&keywords=amusing+ourselves+to+death,+by+neil+postman&qid=1691060558&sprefix=Amusing+Ourselves+to+Death,aps,360&sr=8-3&linkCode=sl1&tag=englishlit05b-20&linkId=9051d33b638e55172e981811db6e612b&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl&fbclid=IwAR3DS-wbM60hVu9C31gsDw0OAs2FW7GnAXRVflNf3uhI7IC-DS3Tb2Gp0cQ) That's a drop in the slash fill ocean to these clowns and their flagrant disregard for multiple regulations. It's so out of kilter with the heavy fines that Work Safe dole out for minor breaches that impact only the user, like no helmet on a quad bike.
$40k for a repeat offence of no helmet, if anyone's asking...
Quote from: Hectorplains on Dec 04, 2023, 08:22 PM$40k for a repeat offence of no helmet, if anyone's asking...
Hopefully you don't know this from first hand experience? ;D
Somewhat ironically I see Hectorplains started this thread wishing others well, and your region was smashed. Hopefully you are back to normality now?
So here we are coming up to 10 months after cyclone Gabrielle. I can report that some areas in Hawkes Bay are still like a warzone. I have no interest in being a disaster tourist so have not seen all the impacted areas, but Pakowhai and Esk Valley are still waiting....waiting for decisions, waiting for the clean up and still waiting for silt to be removed. I recently visited a business that had not long reopened after being under a metre of water - they must have been doing it tough. Meanwhile life goes on for most of us with hardly a thought as to the plight of those impacted. I imagine the same delays are happening in other areas such as Wairoa, Gisborne and in Muriwai west of Auckland (to name just 3).
Maybe some of those people protesting tomorrow about something that has not yet happened can lend a hand if they have so much free time....
Quote from: Ferg on Dec 04, 2023, 09:32 PMSomewhat ironically I see Hectorplains started this thread wishing others well, and your region was smashed. Hopefully you are back to normality now?
So here we are coming up to 10 months after cyclone Gabrielle. I can report that some areas in Hawkes Bay are still like a warzone. I have no interest in being a disaster tourist so have not seen all the impacted areas, but Pakowhai and Esk Valley are still waiting....waiting for decisions, waiting for the clean up and still waiting for silt to be removed. I recently visited a business that had not long reopened after being under a metre of water - they must have been doing it tough. Meanwhile life goes on for most of us with hardly a thought as to the plight of those impacted. I imagine the same delays are happening in other areas such as Wairoa, Gisborne and in Muriwai west of Auckland (to name just 3).
Maybe some of those people protesting tomorrow about something that has not yet happened can lend a hand if they have so much free time....
'East Coast' and 'normal' are two terms not much used together ever! I came up here after 10 years of earthquakes and fighting EQC, only to be greeted by three cyclones. I'm scared to move again unless to the next stop I bring a plague of locusts, horses eating each other or some other biblical atrocity.
I made the drive down to Hastings two weeks ago. There's no time to gaze on the views as the road requires constant attention. But it does indeed resemble a warzone. Timely recovery from natural disaster just isn't a Kiwi thing. Maybe Mr Seymour and his Red Tape Cutting ministry could cut their teeth on this issue?
Quote from: Hectorplains on Dec 04, 2023, 09:48 PM'East Coast' and 'normal' are two terms not much used together ever! I came up here after 10 years of earthquakes and fighting EQC, only to be greeted by three cyclones. I'm scared to move again unless to the next stop I bring a plague of locusts, horses eating each other or some other biblical atrocity.
Your horse comment made me laugh. Very funny. Please don't move to Hawkes Bay....we don't need your bad luck adding to the current woes. ;D But seriously, sorry to hear that. You have chosen a nice part of the country....your very own KFC down the road....Kai for Coasties.
Quote from: Hectorplains on Dec 04, 2023, 09:48 PMI made the drive down to Hastings two weeks ago. There's no time to gaze on the views as the road requires constant attention. But it does indeed resemble a warzone. Timely recovery from natural disaster just isn't a Kiwi thing. Maybe Mr Seymour and his Red Tape Cutting ministry could cut their teeth on this issue?
Maybe time for him to put his money where his mouth is. As someone famous once said: "make it so".