All PAK’nSAVE stores are now open, and only New World Onekawa in Napier remains closed, but this is hoped to be remedied soon with the arrival of a generator. The cooperative's focus is getting stock to isolated communities so that seven Four Squares in Hawkes Bay can re-open.
Roads remain the biggest hurdle for supply, with trucks having to use backroads and Unimogs and helicopters having to be deployed for isolated stores. The Hastings depot is being used as a staging point for the region. Starlink satellite internet kits assist in contacting communities in Wairoa, Tokomaru Bay, Tologa Bay and Ruatoria.
“What a tragic 72 hours, so many New Zealander’s lives have been impacted. Our deepest condolences go to those who have lost loved ones and who are facing the challenge of rebuilding. To everyone affected, please know our teams have been working around the clock. We’ve got the stock, we’ve got the plan and we’ve got the means to get essential items to you as we support your towns and communities to recover,” said Chris Quin, Foodstuffs North Island CEO.
The HereForNZ team has now donated over $260,000 worth of food and goods to the Foodstuffs charity partners, alongside $50,000 to the Hawkes Bay community.
“A huge shout out to our incredible teams for their heroic work and for continuing to go the extra mile every hour, while we make sure we get essentials to New Zealanders to recover from the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.”
