Locals volunteer to rebuild tornado-ravaged town

Greymouth carpenters are coming forward to rebuild their tornado-ravaged town in such numbers that the town doesn't need extra help offered from outside the region.

Presentation Homes manager Del Curtis of Richmond, near Nelson, offered to send 40 carpenters to Greymouth this week to help with repairs.

But Greymouth Mayor Tony Kokshoorn today said enough local carpenters had come forward to help with the work.

"My concern was making sure we had enough chippies on the job and I think we have got that under control," he said.

He said he appreciated the offer and Mrs Curtis was welcome to come to Greymouth and "tender for the work".

"The offer is still available but there seems to be a lot of local carpenters available."

Thursday's tornado seriously damaged 40 homes and 30 businesses and the cost of damage has been estimated at $10 million.

Offers of help had been pouring in from all round the country, Mr Kokshoorn said.

But he wants to "hang" the person who burgled a tornado victim on the night the twister struck.

Lorraine Wilson-Perrott, who was in hospital with serious leg injuries suffered when the tornado tossed her campervan on its side, had her campervan burgled as it was outside a panelbeating business while her husband was being relocated to emergency accommodation.

Among things stolen were an outboard motor, binoculars and a camera.

"Put it this way, there's no horses available in Greymouth because there's a posse out there after the people, and there's going to be a hanging when we catch them," Mr Kokshoorn said.

He said the cleanup had been helped by good weather, and authorities wanted to get as much done ahead of bad weather forecast for next week.

The council was to meet Housing New Zealand and Work and Income today to talk about immediate accommodation for people displaced by the tornado, but Mr Kokshoorn said they were being hindered by the lack of free housing in the area.

He said the Government was to hold a cabinet meeting today to discuss aid for Greymouth.

- NZPA