Wairoa Mayor Craig Little is calling on the Wairoa community to support our Gisborne/Tairawhiti neighbours by donating homemade baking.

The Gisborne/Tairawhiti region declared a local state of emergency on Wednesday, January 21, as the East Coast area was once again battered by extreme weather.

Mayor Little is driving an ‘Aroha Tairawhiti’ campaign, asking locals to donate baking, which he will deliver to Gisborne.

“My heart goes out to our Gisborne/Tairawhiti neighbours who are dealing with the extreme aftermath of the January weather events. The flood-damaged communities in Te Araroa and Wharekahika/Hicks Bay bore the brunt, and the region is also suffering from isolation and restricted road access, particularly with the Waioweka Gorge on SH2 having been previously impacted.

“In Wairoa, we know what the impact of severe weather is like, and we really did dodge a bullet in this latest event. While we were fortunate the impact wasn’t as bad for us this time, we must remember that no matter how prepared we are, we cannot control Mother Nature. As we are constantly seeing around the country, these extreme flood-related events are occurring more frequently.”

Mayor Little said the baking campaign is a chance for Wairoa people to share their aroha with our neighbours. “I recall after the Wairoa river mouth June 2024 flooding, Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz and Chief Executive Nedine Thatcher-Swann made the trip to Wairoa laden with baked goods and other donations. That visit was so thoughtful, and it really lifted people’s spirits. The way they reached out and connected gave us a real boost and made us feel less alone.

“I really want to reciprocate that feeling and let Gisborne/Tairawhiti know that we are thinking of them and we care. If you or your group are able to donate baking, please give me a call on 027 475 7278.”

Photo: Wairoa Mayor Craig Little, centre, has launched an ‘Aroha Tairawhiti’ campaign to take baking to Gisborne/Tairawhiti, which was impacted by the January 21 weather event. After Wairoa’s June 2024 flooding, Gisborne District Council Chief Executive Nedine Thatcher-Swann (pictured left) and Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz visited Wairoa with baking and donations to support the impacted community, and Mayor Little wants to reciprocate that thoughtfulness.

5 February 2026

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