Blink and you’ll miss the progress occurring at Te Tii. The team is ripping through the mahi and the appearance of site is changing daily. The ‘bones’ of the structure or timber frame is going up. This is what gives the buildings their shape and stability.  There’s a lot of work involved in getting six buildings framed at the same time so the workers have split into teams. 

 

This photo shows how the new buildings sit within the landscape. The only building left to frame is the laundry and toilet block, but the fuel tank needs to go into the ground before that work can start.

 

 

All of the walls in the Tribal Office building are up, and the Store and Café building follows close behind.
 

 

Looking from the Tribal Office building, through the Store and Café to the chalets in the distance, you can start to see the flow of the place.

 

 

Nestled into the bush, the chalet walls and roofs are in place. The area in front of the deck will be planted to create more privacy while still allowing for light to come in and views out.

 

 

The next stage is to get the framing covered by a roof and wrapped up in building paper to keep the timber dry and allow work to take place inside out of the rain!

 

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Road access to the Urewera township of Ruatahuna has finally been restored after being cut off for more than a week. Ruatahuna was one of several Bay of Plenty towns completely cut off by slips and flooding caused by Cyclone Debbie, and yesterday it was the last to have its roads reopened.

Whakatāne district mayor Tony Bonne said the roads were still fragile and a lot of work was still needed to get them back to full use.

Residents of Ruatahuna also had to cope without power over the last week.

Radio NZ

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No one really knew the damage Debbie would cause and for most people it brought tragedy to their everyday lives and their homes.  But for one person, this was an opportunity for having the biggest natural makeover in one night.

Cyclone Debbie came with its mighty winds and rain then powered its way through Te Urewera.  The winds too powerful for our trees were found on the ground lifeless.  Our rivers and streams flowed viciously with a deafening roar causing the earth beneath to become soft and frail creating slips and damage to structures. 

Te Urewera was evacuated the very next day and signs went up to close the Great Walk.  And for the first time in many years, Te Urewera was alone. 

The day after the storm I was travelling home after work and couldn’t help but stop to look at the view.  The mist was hovering above and coming down ever so slowly as if to blanket Te Urewera.  The mountain ranges in the distant showing different shades of blue with the tip of some ranges lightly covered by the mist. Waikaremoana was still and calm and among all this there was silence.  Seeing Te Urewera this way gave me the feeling she was having a long overdue rest she so deserves. 

Te Urewera has played host to millions who come from far and near to free their minds from the pressures of living in the so-called concrete jungles.  Can you imagine hosting that many people in a year?  I would definitely be drained and tired and planning a retreat away.  Te Urewera plays a vital role in people’s lives, for some she’s a counsellor, for others she’s a friend.  For whatever reason we visit this ancient being, she has the experience to host and offer a remedy we seek for the heart, soul and mind.  For us humans, we have places to go to re-energise ourselves.  But Te Urewera doesn’t have that luxury of going on a retreat.  If she cannot go anywhere then something or someone has to come to her.  Like a person, Te Urewera needs a break from all this.  To me, Cyclone Debbie was the retreat that Te Urewera has waited and yearned for.     

I believe Cyclone Debbie brought goodness to this spectacular being.  Debbie simply came and gave Te Urewera a total makeover.  Old trees were pulled from their roots to give way to the next generation of trees.  New waterways crafted providing sustenance to more of the land and its species and landslides formed a new layout to the land.  Not only did Debbie change the shape and form of Te Urewera but it also freed her from human contact. 

So next time you’re in Te Urewera and you are here to find yourself or rejuvenate yourself remember you are not alone.  Te Urewera is right there sharing the same reasons for your visit but she is also tending to your inner needs. If she can do that, then we should also contribute to returning the favour.

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