When Lillian Te Hau-Ward went for a drive to inspect the damage of her small East Coast community after recent flooding, she cried and said she did not want to go back.
Tairāwhiti remains in state of emergency with region still in 'response mode' stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
'We've got 48 hours to see through': Heavy rain watch for soggy Gisborne stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
After talking to locals in Tokomaru Bay today, the prime minister says repairing roads and supporting locals with insurance issues will be priorities as the region cleans up from the week's flooding.