As the risk from the sea subsided, concern for ourselves swiftly moved to where the need was most. With mobile and land lines down, small towns such as Waiau, Culverden and Seddon were left to fend for themselves. At the Waiau School, a headcount quickly accounted for everyone despite the school swimming pool being destroyed, a war memorial lying shattered and a bell tower hanging off the main Anglican church building. In Ward, which sustained some of the worst damage, about 80 people were taken into the Ward Community Centre. Last night, the support centre at the Waiau School was having a cook-up to feed everyone.

Source: New Zealand Herald November 14, 2016 16:00 UTC