Tangled up and blue: The wrecked caravan that symbolises Pakowhai’s flood pain

The Cyclone Gabrielle flood-damaged caravan in Pakowhai Rd, Hastings. Photo / Warren Buckland

A battered caravan sits alone, embedded in a hedge and bank in Pakowhai Rd.

It’s a sight familiar to all who have driven through the cyclone-ravaged settlement between Napier and Hastings after Cyclone Gabrielle.

How it got there is no mystery — the floodwaters up to two storeys high that raged through the surrounding area on February 14 picked it up and dumped it there with powerful and ruthless efficiency.

The trouble is, two and a half months later, it still sits there, in a difficult position to shift.

“People are sick of the sight of it,” said MP for Tukituki Anna Lorck, who has been talking to surrounding residents about getting it removed.

“It’s a constant reminder of what everyone is putting up with and they are fed up with it still being there.”

Lorck was also worried about what would happen to the caravan if it were to fall.

“The risk is that if it’s left there and more rain arrives it could end up in the drain, and that will cause even more problems. It’s heavy and the ground underneath wouldn’t take much to fall away.”

Lorck said on Tuesday there was now traction to help get it removed, with many locals offering their assistance.

“It’s understandable that in the weeks gone by there have been other priorities, and as the huge clean-up work is continuing, this is a job that needed some help to get sorted.

“We’ve also managed to find the [caravan’s] owner, which has been helpful, and we’re hoping to be able to touch base over the next couple of days just to let them know that there’s support under way to help remove it.”

Tukituki MP Anna Lorck talks to Robert Flanders about the caravan.

Right beside the caravan lies another problem — abandoned and wrecked cars.

“It’s not only hard on the people living and working on Pakowhai Rd, but also people driving past it every day back and forth, and it’s just a constant reminder,” Lorck said.

A spokesperson for the Hastings District Council said it had not received a request to move or a complaint about an abandoned caravan in a hedge in Pakowhai Rd.

“Residents can lodge complaints about vehicles abandoned in public places by calling 871 5000 or filling in the online form. Council officers would then investigate the circumstances.”

Lorck, who is in Parliament this week, has taken to posting regular updates about the caravan on Facebook, and said she would continue to help with the situation.

“Hopefully all going to plan it’ll be done very soon.”