Cyclone Cook brings creative initiative

Arron Jamieson of Wellington and dog Misty take it easy on one of the stump seats carved after several trees were felled by Cyclone Cook last month. Photo/ Paul Taylor

Cyclone Cook's destruction has sparked a unique creative touch to Hastings' Pakowhai Country Park.

As the storm swept through Hawke's Bay on the Thursday before Easter trees were ripped up, branches were broken and fences wrecked.

The Hawke's Bay Regional Council's asset manager of open spaces, Steve Cave, said that when staff inspected the park the next day the damage was so bad they had to close it.

"This is a decision we did not take lightly but due to the amount of branches which were broken high up in the trees, for health and safety reasons we had to close it completely."

Because of this decision council turned a negative into a positive and decided to make use of the branches that were cut and the trees that were felled.

Mr Cave said he gave the saw men the freedom to be as creative as they could in hope of enhancing the park, and was delighted with what they come up with.

"Staff used the stumps and managed to carve some wonderful seats. I got sent photos of all their creations once they were completed and it came as a real surprise."

Seats of all shapes and sizes popped up with love-heart seat backs, carved wooden benches and arm chairs.

The council initiative has been well received and regular dog walkers have uploaded photos on social media of their "pooches" enjoying the seats just as much as they were.

"I think it is great and we are so pleased the public are enjoying the seats we have created."

Mr Cave said the management of the park was focused on improving it in a sensible way that kept a balanced perspective on its use and intent.

This meant using internal materials to enhance the popular public space.

"Due to the amount of clean-up still left after Cyclone Cook I think there could well be more natural infrastructure like these seats that might pop up over time."

Meanwhile the Hastings District Council's clean-up of the city's 170 parks and reserves was about halfway through after about 80 per cent of them suffered fallen trees and branches in the cyclone.

The district council was also continuing its clean-up on the roads, which was expected to be completed in three weeks.

Napier mayor Bill Dalton said Napier City Council's progress was going well with only a bit of plantation left to clear in Sturms Gully.

"The team have been fantastic and all parks are back open."