Brand new belongings ruined

The Henry family's belongings lie piled in a sodden heap on the driveway outside their Matua home.

A crumpled mound of wet carpet and underlay sit not far from a jumble of household items: the mattress slumped over the couch, the ruined chest of drawers piled high with old videos next to the clothes dryer, the boxes of books near the wide-screen TV and the flash stereo - all brand new and all ruined.

A forlorn pair of suitcases and clutch of deck chairs are a sorry reminder of an end-of-year trip to Dubai that will now be cancelled.

The family moved into their new home three months ago and bought a host of items to furnish it.

Then, last Wednesday, a downpour of torrential rain left their house surrounded by a metre of water and flooded the ground floor a foot high throughout.

Shane Henry, 46, arrived home just after midday to find his daughter and mother-in-law scared and weeping, surrounded by a sea of murky water polluted with mud and raw sewage.

Shane, partner Vicky Pilbrow, 36, and their three daughters Jessica, 12, Renee, 11, and Shannon, 10, checked into a hotel after their insurance company told them the house would be uninhabitable for up to six months.

Yesterday they were still clearing their home of debris and flood-damaged belongings and wondering what to do next.

Their neighbours, whose home was also flooded with contaminated water, have been told to leave their house and throw out all their belongings.

"We're just a little bit frustrated," said Ms Pilbrow. "I mean, if it's contaminated, we want to know."

To play it safe, the family have decided to throw out all their belongings as well. It's tiring work.

"We're going home at nine o'clock at night soaking wet and freezing cold and filthy dirty," Ms Pilbrow said.

"We've got to keep our jobs going and we've got to keep the children going," Mr Henry said.

To make matters worse, a building boom in Tauranga means there are few builders who have the time or inclination to organise quotes.

Still, as a demolition company cut away the lower 800cm of their walls to allow the house structure to dry out, the family tried to look on the bright side. "Our neighbours have just been incredible. They've been fantastic," said Ms Pilbrow.

One neighbour had been baking and cooking for the family, and another had been spending all his spare time helping out.

"It's these sort of times when everyone just comes together and gives a hand," Mr Henry said.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY