When the storm came to cause devastation across Northland up stepped the region's police, fire and ambulance staff, volunteers and electricity linesmen, with heroic efforts to keep people safe.
The worst of the storm, which brought winds up to 160km/h and heavy rain, should be over by today, but on Tuesday and yesterday, the dedicated workers were out in atrocious conditions ensuring the storm caused no casualties and as little damage as possible.
New Zealand's most northern police officer, Tracee Knowler, said when the windy weather battered the Far North locals and volunteers banded together to help each other. The worst of the weather smashed Houhora and Pukenui between 1pm and 9pm on Tuesday with trees and power lines falling.
"I was driving along the straights with the falling trees and the power lines hit the road in front of me. It was quite scary."
But what impressed her the most was how volunteer firefighters, forestry workers and locals pulled together to clear roads of debris.