Flooding was still visible in Waiohiki, Napier after Cyclone Gabrielle on 23 February, when rain started falling again. Photo: RNZ / Jemima Huston
Twenty-eight people and seven organisations are being honoured for their actions during Cyclone Gabrielle, and in the aftermath, in Napier this evening.
Cyclone Gabrielle Recognition Awards, hosted by Napier City Council, received close to 80 nominations.
Mayor Kirsten Wise said nominators expressed their gratitude in a number of ways in the statements they provided to council.
"In many cases, the people the recipients helped were strangers," she said. "Nominators have shared incredible stories of rescue, bravery, hard mahi, care and selfless support."
Among those being honoured are people involved in jet boat rescues in the early hours, those that helped with the clean-up in the months following, and those who became staunch advocates for mental health.
A number of people fed, sheltered and provided supplies for people that were displaced.
The winners
Keith Bartleet and Hugh Mackay are neighbours who rescued several people in Esk Valley by jet boat in the early hours of 14 February.
Claire Connor cooked and distributed meals for weeks, coordinating volunteers and items for the needy despite her own home being flood damaged.
Mary Danielson offered refreshments, made deliveries, organised fundraisers and opened her business premises, The Puketapu, to locals, all while her business was severely damaged.
Troy Duncan alerted many in Pakowhai to danger, and helped rescue people and stock in the immediate aftermath.
Peter Eden, Moteo Marae chair, played a key role in coordinating the response and recovery efforts for Moteo, Puketapu, Waiohiki and other communities.
Brenda Ferguson, a member of Tihei Mauri Ora, provided outstanding support and leadership during the response and recovery phase for many communities.
Bill and Gabriella Henderson sheltered more than 40 people and their animals in their home in the aftermath.
Michael Helliwell, a member of Land, Search and Rescue, with his wife Lyn spent days checking houses and vehicles and conducting rescues.
Cathy Herries and Julie King spent months offering both physical and emotional support, and inspiring others to volunteer, in Puketapu, Eskdale and Brookfields.
Rose Hiha, Petane Marae chair, was a supporter for her community, from getting stuck in to the clean-up, to ensuring people had the right information.
Sean Hughes from Esk Valley, prepped and served food in Napier, drove people assisting older folks, and was part of the team which designed t-shirts that raised $35,000 for cyclone affected communities.
Amelia Kaui, Hukarere Girls College boarding hostel manager, organised the evacuation of more than 50 students and staff from the Esk Valley site.
Damien Kelly from Wellington towed a caravan loaded with supplies from the capital to Napier, and was involved in rescues.
Rikki Kihi was involved in the jet boat rescue of more than 50 people in the Esk Valley, helped with the clean-up for weeks afterwards, and became an advocate for mental health.
Greg Miller, Valley D'Vine restaurateur, offered shelter to Esk Valley locals during the response, later becoming the go to guy for coordinating counselling, and provisions.
Greg and Lorna Morice from Dartmoor Valley rescued families and animals, offered shelter at their hilltop property, and ensured the sick and vulnerable were flown out the next day.
Mohinder Nagra, Bollywood Stars Napier owner, was one of the first people to come forward and help feed people, serving hundreds of free meals to those in need.
Neeracha (Neela Neela) Rattanaworametha has provided hundreds of meals daily since the cyclone, inspiring an army of volunteers who helped cook, pack and deliver them.
Rikki Reed Davis was part of a road crew which warned people on State Highway 5, and spent hours clinging to a tree waiting for rescue. He also helped with the clean-up, and became an advocate for mental health.
Nancye Rewi founded the Hawke's Bay Toy Drive, coordinating donated kai and toy packs all over the region, helping Neela Neela in her spare time.
Sammie-Jo Smaling cooked and delivered meals to many, baked hundreds of cupcakes for volunteers, and opened her home for people to have quiet time, and children to play.
Todd Smith from Whirinaki, saved the lives of many residents and their pets, and used his plumbing skills to keep the community running when no one had mains power or running water.
Richard Stevenson drove essential supplies, news and updates to and from communities on SH5, at considerable personal risk.
Quent and Mel Swayn were a driving force behind the Bay View community hub, coordinating volunteers and resources, supporting those who needed advice and care.
Mike Teddy got stuck into helping his community, clearing roads, driveways and houses, volunteering himself, his staff and use of his equipment.
Lee Walmsley used a boat then a truck to rescue many people on Links Road, around Waiohiki, Omarunui and surround areas, risking his own life to evacuate others.
The Bay View Fire Brigade evacuated and rescued people in the Esk Valley and surrounding areas, providing support for weeks afterwards.
Cyclone Hawke's Bay Help, a Facebook group which became a successful hub for connecting people who needed help with volunteers, supporting the flow of resources and information.
Equippers Church, a Tamatea church was a civil defence evacuation centre, allowing people to stay until it was safe for them to return home, providing three meals daily and amazing hospitality.
Kings House Church in Meeanee was a lifeline for hundreds of people, including more than 300 RSE workers, providing meals, welfare support and shelter to many.
Napier Riding For Disabled (RDA) looked after horses and livestock for months after the cyclone, operating from Meeanee Speedway, as well as organising helicopter and plane drops.
The Rapid Relief Team fed hundreds and helped deliver resources to isolated communities, continuing to support people well after the initial response period had ended.
Re-Source HB volunteers set up a distribution hub at Hastings Racecourse, ensuring vital equipment and resources - an estimated 100,000 items - got to the people who needed them the most.
