Waikato students dig deep for Hawke’s Bay

Seven undergraduate students from Hamilton travelled to Napier in March to volunteer, clearing silt and debris and helping repair damaged houses around the Waiohiki Marae.

The group from Student Village, one of the halls of residence on the Hamilton campus, joined thousands of others from around the region and country helping with the clean-up.

Second-year Bachelor of Nursing student Caitlin Hedge, who is a Residential Leader (RL) at Student Village, led the trip, and rallied others to come. Originally from the Hawkes Bay, Caitlin felt compelled to help.

“I felt very guilty and helpless, not being able to be there to help clean up. My whānau and home were safe, but there was a sense that my community wasn’t fine.”

She was supported by her manager at Student Village, Leigh Sanderson, who encouraged her to go, and helped organise a University fleet vehicle and trailer, and food for the group.

The students travelled down to Hawke’s Bay on March 9, returning on March 12. The trip, usually four-and-a-half hours, took more than 11 hours on the damaged roads into Napier.

The group included Student Village RL Emma Dutton and Student Village residents Madelyn Tangen, Siri Ahern, Vikramjeet Pirta, Jayzel Sam Borlaza and Melody Alexander.

The morning after arriving, Caitlin discovered she had Covid-19, leaving Emma to take charge. After receiving clear covid tests, the remaining six students grabbed their tools, jumped in the van and headed out - with masks and gloves - to get to work in one of the worst affected areas.

Waiohiki sits alongside the Tutaekuri River to the south of Napier. The small settlement, which includes several dozen houses and a marae, was badly affected in the cyclone.

Joined by Caitlin’s father Andrew Hedge, who is the Anglican Bishop of Waiapu, the group got to work under the guidance of marae leaders.

“We said, ‘whatever you need, put us to work’,” says Emma. “The first day we were just digging out rubbish, wood and gib and household items, out of the mud and into the trailer.”

The marae, a meeting point for the community, was on higher ground, so wasn't damaged, but around a dozen houses on the floodplains around it were severely damaged.

“For most of them, the water had swept through above our heads, you could see the mud line on the walls. Luckily, they managed to get everyone out safely,” says Emma.

The clean-up was emotional at times for the students.

“We were cleaning out an old lady's belongings and we could see the hobbies she had - sewing, paintbrushes, children’s toys and clothes - it was all completely ruined.”

With many homes uninsured, the volunteers did some minor demolition work, removing damaged gib on interior walls, so walls could be repaired once frames were dried out. They also helped clean up a plant nursery.

Although it was heartbreaking, the experience was a positive one for the group, says Caitlin.

“There were moments of devastation, but there was also a sense of community, of everyone coming together, and it was great to be part of that.”

They were also grateful for the support of others, including the Hastings St John Ambulance, who let the University students use their facilities to clean their van at the end of the trip.

Bishop Hedge says the students did a great job.

“I was so impressed by their willingness to get stuck in and help out where it was needed. They all showed wonderful empathy and respect for the community and, with good humour and grace, got on with the job.”

Bishop Hedge says that the scale of the challenge remains large for Hawke’s Bay, but the community is grateful for the support they have received from across New Zealand.

“I can't say enough of how this team, along with the many, many teams of volunteers who are coming into Hawke's Bay are lifting spirits and making a difference, even in small ways.”