Northlanders continue to show remarkable resilience as the region turns to the clean up phase in the wake of the week's storm, Civil Defence officials say.
Graeme MacDonald, spokesman for the Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group, said as the recovery phase of the storm moves into its second day, welfare and infrastructural matters remain the key focus.
Mr MacDonald said in and around Moerewa, where floodwaters had forced a number of families from their homes, stoic locals, while understandably frustrated by the effects of the storm, were taking matters in their stride and looking after each other, aided by official support.
The latter included a welfare centre which had been working out of the Te Punawai Trust Christian Centre (the old tavern on the corner of the Main Rd and Marshall St) opposite the BP Station. It had closed this morning, but if required would reopen.
Far North District Council (FNDC) building inspectors were also door-knocking in the area monitoring sanitation and other issues caused by flood-related problems with septic tanks. The council was arranging for portable toilets and extra rubbish bins to be delivered to the area today.