The Knowledge Bank is holding an ‘Open House’ 16-18th March, 10.00am to 2pm calling on the public to bring in images, video and audio recordings of Cyclone Gabrielle and aftermath.
An example is video footage of surf-lifesavers motoring down Pakowhai Road in an inflatable dinghy urgently scanning for people as they pass houses submerged in water, only their roof tips showing.
That is just one of many videos and photos the Hastings Knowledge Bank is collecting as part of a huge effort to collect and document Cyclone Gabrielle’s damage and clean-up for future generations.
Office manager Linda Bainbridge, based at the Knowledge Bank’s headquarters at historic Stoneycroft Homestead on 901 Omahu Road, says this is an opportunity to capture history in real time.
“The fact we are living history at the moment is important and we’ve got to document it properly.
“Future generations won’t believe the water went that high in Pakowhai so material like the videos we have is invaluable.”
Linda is working with a team of up to 100 volunteers and is calling for the public to bring in, or email, any photos, stories or videos related to the cyclone. Email: cyclone2023@knowledgebank.org.nz
“Even if the photos are still on your phone,” Linda says, “bring your phone in and we will get a copy.”
The Knowledge Bank focuses on recording everyday life in Hawke’s Bay, so no image or story is too small to be considered for the collection.
The Knowledge Bank will digitise all the cyclone information it receives and then choose a big collection to host on its website. At that point, if hasn’t already happened, the images will be accompanied with words identifying place, date and time and permission will be sought from owners of the copyright.
“We will be very careful to evaluate the whole collection and be sensitive to those suffered the most,” says Linda.
“Our aim is to publish the collection by the first anniversary of the cyclone in 2024.”
Keen to get as much material to choose from as possible, the Knowledge Bank is holding an Open House for three days between 10am and 2pm on Thursday 16th, Friday 17th and Saturday 18th March, specifically for cyclone material. Alternatively, email items at any time to cyclone2023@knowledgebank.org.nz
For more information see https://knowledgebank.org.nz
Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
I’m stunned at the amount of destruction in this area . All the years I lived in this area , never once saw anything flooded here . Years ago I picked berries on the Augusts property in this area , use to buy veges and fruit here . Travelled the road regularly . Once knew people who lived in this area . My heart goes out to the amazing people who lived in this area, I hope you get compensation from government. Question is , why did this tragedy happen to this extent ? It’s not what being pushed climate change, it’s lack of management in the maintenance , and infrastructure . Preparation. Living in Queensland , since 1992 , we have cyclones every year.. this particular one was supposed to hit us, it didn’t , it changed course . Caused destruction down the east coast of New Zealand . Good management and knowledgeable experienced people is necessary . Preparation for future events is necessary . All of Hawkes Bay collectively was hit badly. I recall , living in Masterton the year the Wahine ferry went down in Cook Strait , that was a very massive storm , damage done. I wish all residents in the area the best for the future . Blessings from afar .
We need to prepare to survive these weather events.
The records show this type of weather happens 1 in 30 years and has been since the 1820s. This is not the worst storm ever either in barometric pressure or rainfall. The ones in the 1800s pre global warming were more severe
Let’s be sensible and spend all the available money on helping people rebuild their lives and make and fund the right choices on protection for future events.
To do that we need accurate data from NIWA to the councils, not politically correct hand picked statistics.