Kaiaua Flood - Jan 2018

My wife, kids and I have returned from the farm over the weekend helping Mum and Dad out.

Firstly and most importantly Mum and Dad are doing well and are in better spirits with all the support they have received from close family members and friends here in NZ and from as far as Australia and USA. There has also been a awesome response from contractors and people Mum and Dad have used to do work on the farm which has really brightened the situation and made them feel better.

The damage done by the storm surge of salt water is incredible to see. Roading metal has been washed away from the road all the way from Miranda through to Kaiaua. The shell from the beaches has been washed up and made the beach 50-70cm higher and in some places washed large amounts of shell into farm paddocks.

The damage done by the salt is everywhere. Grasses touched by the sea water have browned and appear to have died off completely.

Trees are either dead from the salt water, or you can see where the salt spray has burnt off the leaves on the northerly side.

Trees not submerged by the water, but near drains with the salt water in are dropping leaves and turning brown.

Sea mud covers most of the pastures and is, in places, 5-6cm deep.

While at the farm we shifted stock around to help relieve pressure on the remaining pastures, which meant moving stock to the far reaches of the farm - something that is far earlier than normal as it is ordinarily done in the autumn.

We also helped cut grass from a small native reserve to help feed some of the stock.

Finally I would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who has donated to this page, I never expected such a response, and every little bit is going to be put to good use buying in feed for next year. We are all truly humbled by all the support on here and from people who have contacted my parents directly.