We have moved in to a nice warm whare and are slowly settling restocking things as we go. We are returning to our normal routines of school for Prue and work for mum and I.
Thank you all for your continued love.
Nga mihi nunui mō ōu aroha
Kia ora whānau.
What a life changing event but we have been so touched by all the love and support that has wrapped around us.
Ngā mihi aroha kia koutou.
On Sunday things were still so uncertain but we had a whakawātea at the site to help us clear the way forward.
Today we have been blessed as we have found a new home and our friends and whānau are helping us move in on Monday 22 October.
People have donated household goods and life feels like things are returning to a new normal.
Ka mate te kāinga tahi, ka ora te kāinga rua.
What can I say, sometimes we are just lost for words - the absolute destructive power of fire is truly shocking when seen and experienced on site.
A whakawātea to put some of the pain to rest and to clear the way for the future is being arranged.
Everyone is doing everything that they can to care for and support Manu, Pearl and Prue as they slowly come to terms with what has happened and what is next.
The immediate need is finding temporary accommodation for the next few weeks to allow time for some long term decisions to be made by the whānau.
There have been many tears and a few smiles are returning. Manu says that the love, affection and support shown and received is really helping them through this time. Thank you.
There has been lots of work going on in the background to make sure connections have been made with all of the services that may be able to assist.
Many decisions have been considered and options discussed as we prioritise finding accommodation.
Your responses continue to amaze and the funds raised are appreciated more than you can begin to imagine.
Message from Manu, Pearl and Prue
"We are embarrassed and so deeply touched with the generosity of love that we have been shown in so many ways.
Our world has changed forever and we are uncertain what the future holds for us but we are safe, together and loved.
We appreciate all the messages and reading them (even though we can't reply to them all right now) makes us feel connected.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts".
Wow - what an incredible response from each one of you that has donated, Manu, Pearl and Prue thank you from the bottom of their hearts and it is providing them with great comfort.
Yesterday was a full day spent at the site and was very busy with Insurance Assessors, the Fire Service and the Investigators and securing storage for the contents of the garden shed.
Sadly there was very little that could be salvaged and we were only able to take 3 bags of smoke and water damaged clothes from the property.
Today Manu has fare-welled her pets and put them to rest.
Many of you are asking how to contact Manu - for the moment she does not have access to her work phone or laptop and has limited her use of her mobile.
We were able to show her some of your messages of love and support and offers of help yesterday and she was very humbled by your generosity.
There are a lot of processes to work through over the next few days as we continue to coordinate the response and we will keep you up to date with progress as soon as we can.
The investigation is ongoing. Once they can enter the house, Manu and a team of whānau and friends will salvage what they can. Once we know what Manu and her whānau need, we will put a list up of what is needed.
Manu is incredibly grateful for everyone's kind words, aroha and tautoko.
