JESSICA WAUCHOP - Taranaki Tuesday, 31 July 2007
When Oscar Kightley was a cadet reporter at the Taranaki Herald he pulled a sickie on the day of the most exciting story of the year - Cyclone Bola.
"I looked out my window that morning, saw it was raining and called in sick," laughs Kightley.
"Everyone else was racing about covering exciting stories about roofs blowing off and I missed out," Kightley says.
It's just one of many tales from the funnyman, who's just been back in New Plymouth with the Naked Samoans for the Taranaki International Festival of the Arts.
Kightley, best-known for his roles in the TV show bro'Town and movie Sione's Wedding, is thankful for his six-month stint as a journalist in Taranaki.
"I had been working as a cadet reporter at the Auckland Star and got up to a bit of trouble. So they were very kind and instead of firing me, they packed me off to New Plymouth.
"I came here and loved it. This place was my first experience of living outside of the city I grew up in. I found it a very warm and enveloping place with culture, surf and nice people.
"By the end of my six months I didn't want to go back to Auckland."
Nineteen years after he left, Kightley is impressed with the changes in Taranaki.
"It is great to see more than one bar in New Plymouth now.
"You can stagger from bar to bar instead of up and down The Mill's stairs," says Kightley, who admits he is still struck by the overwhelming politeness of Taranaki people.
Although Kightley is grateful for his time as a journalist, he says he was never destined for it.
"At school English was my favourite subject because it wasn't like science and maths which had strict rules - English you could make things up."
"In science four and four had to equal eight but in English I could make it equal 12 - not ideal for journalism though," he laughs.
It is this creativity which is embodied in the Naked Samoans performance.
"Our performances are never the same each night. We get bored easily, so if we're not having fun with the jokes, we change them," he says.
"Being on stage in the Naked Samoans existing in the most pure form ... a group who started out as mates just looking for an excuse to hang out together."
Jessica Wauchop is an AUT journalism student.
Tuesday, July 31
Whole lot of horror rolls into crazy town
JAYNE HULBERT jayne.hulbert@tnl.nz - Taranaki Tuesday, 31 July 2007
Downtown New Plymouth was not for the faint-hearted last night.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show was in town and the hundreds who turned out to see it, took the invitation for audience participation very seriously.
Not that there was anything serious about said participation.
Men dressed in drag, couples as Brad and Janet, Riff Raffs and people in any number of crazy X-rated outfits pranced across the TSB Showplace stage before the classic film was screened.
Many ensembles left little to the imagination, one man in particular providing slightly more flesh than most would like to see.
If you weren't dressed as one of the film's characters, you were in the minority.
Urged on by the Mistress of Ceremonies - singer Jackie Clarke - a competition to find the best dressed brought on screams of laughter from the near-capacity audience. After providing a language warning, Clarke issued the house rules.
"The only rule tonight, is that there are no rules," said Clarke to a huge round of applause.
Bags of rice were distributed to the audience and rice throwing quickly became a sport.
And then there's the Time Warp ...
Part of the Taranaki International Festival of the Arts, the one-off screening of Richard O'Brien's film, starring Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon, was guaranteed to be a crazy night.
Downtown New Plymouth was not for the faint-hearted last night.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show was in town and the hundreds who turned out to see it, took the invitation for audience participation very seriously.
Not that there was anything serious about said participation.
Men dressed in drag, couples as Brad and Janet, Riff Raffs and people in any number of crazy X-rated outfits pranced across the TSB Showplace stage before the classic film was screened.
Many ensembles left little to the imagination, one man in particular providing slightly more flesh than most would like to see.
If you weren't dressed as one of the film's characters, you were in the minority.
Urged on by the Mistress of Ceremonies - singer Jackie Clarke - a competition to find the best dressed brought on screams of laughter from the near-capacity audience. After providing a language warning, Clarke issued the house rules.
"The only rule tonight, is that there are no rules," said Clarke to a huge round of applause.
Bags of rice were distributed to the audience and rice throwing quickly became a sport.
And then there's the Time Warp ...
Part of the Taranaki International Festival of the Arts, the one-off screening of Richard O'Brien's film, starring Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon, was guaranteed to be a crazy night.
Taranaki quartet takes honours in best of category for country
LEIGHTON KEITH leighton.keith@tnl.co.nz. - Taranaki Tuesday, 31 July 2007
They're world-famous in Taranaki - but now the rest of the country is in on our secrets.
Four Taranaki icons have been rated as the best in New Zealand.
They are New Plymouth's Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Tikorangi gardener Mark Jury, Pukekura Park and Whangamomona.
The latest issue of The Listener has devoted a section to celebrating the best our country has to offer on a range of topics and the province was well represented.
Mr Jury, famed for his world-renowned magnolia trees, has been declared one of the country's best plant breeders by broadcaster Maggie Barry.
Mr Jury says he was surprised to receive the accolade but was happy to be rated alongside some of the best.
"It is great to be put in the same category as them, it is an honour," he said yesterday.
The Listener's arts editor Philip Matthews was positively glowing about the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.
"Too few galleries know how to surprise ... but this one does," Listener arts editor Philip Matthews says.
Gallery director Rhana Devenport was delighted but not surprised to learn of the kudos. "Within the arts community, for the Asian Pacific region, the gallery is well known as a leader."
Whangamomona takes the honour of best place name, along with Nightcaps in Southland, Waikaremoana, and Windwhistle near Christchurch.
Twenty-two-year Whanga resident Tania Bedwell says the town's name roughly translates to fertile valley or wait here for a fat one. Coastal Maori used the area as a camp ground on their way to trade with tribes in Wanganui and it was known for fat birds and eels.
Pukekura Park got a special mention in the best cricket ground category. The Basin Reserve, Wellington, took the top honour.
The New Plymouth ground was described as ravishingly scenic and was recently named by the cricket-lover's bible, Wisden, as one of the six greatest grounds in the world.
They're world-famous in Taranaki - but now the rest of the country is in on our secrets.
Four Taranaki icons have been rated as the best in New Zealand.
They are New Plymouth's Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Tikorangi gardener Mark Jury, Pukekura Park and Whangamomona.
The latest issue of The Listener has devoted a section to celebrating the best our country has to offer on a range of topics and the province was well represented.
Mr Jury, famed for his world-renowned magnolia trees, has been declared one of the country's best plant breeders by broadcaster Maggie Barry.
Mr Jury says he was surprised to receive the accolade but was happy to be rated alongside some of the best.
"It is great to be put in the same category as them, it is an honour," he said yesterday.
The Listener's arts editor Philip Matthews was positively glowing about the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.
"Too few galleries know how to surprise ... but this one does," Listener arts editor Philip Matthews says.
Gallery director Rhana Devenport was delighted but not surprised to learn of the kudos. "Within the arts community, for the Asian Pacific region, the gallery is well known as a leader."
Whangamomona takes the honour of best place name, along with Nightcaps in Southland, Waikaremoana, and Windwhistle near Christchurch.
Twenty-two-year Whanga resident Tania Bedwell says the town's name roughly translates to fertile valley or wait here for a fat one. Coastal Maori used the area as a camp ground on their way to trade with tribes in Wanganui and it was known for fat birds and eels.
Pukekura Park got a special mention in the best cricket ground category. The Basin Reserve, Wellington, took the top honour.
The New Plymouth ground was described as ravishingly scenic and was recently named by the cricket-lover's bible, Wisden, as one of the six greatest grounds in the world.
Colour captures imagination of exchange teacher
The walls of Ryo Nakamura's Japanese classroom could soon be covered with colourful children's artwork thanks to an idea sparked in New Plymouth.
While primary school classrooms in Japan could be viewed by outsiders as white and sterile, New Zealand classrooms are wall-to-wall colour.
The brightness of Kiwi classrooms is something that has captured the imagination of exchange teacher Mr Nakamura.
"Everything is so colourful in the classroom. Even the walls are painted in many colours.
"Everything is white in Japan. I am quite amazed that you use lots of colour and even display the children's artwork," Mr Nakamura said through an interpreter.
The 31-year-old is the first Japanese teacher to take part in the New Plymouth-Mishima teacher exchange programme, initiated during a New Plymouth District Council sister city trip to Mishima two years ago.
Mr Nakamura, who is a primary school teacher at Mukaiyama Shoggakko school in Mishima, arrived in New Plymouth on Saturday and will spend a month in various classrooms in the district.
Yesterday, while at Central School, Mr Nakamura said he was keen to introduce colour into his white classroom. Just how his superiors would react to the sudden colour explosion was another thing. "They will be very surprised."
It is the first time Mr Nakamura has been out of Japan and year six students at Central School were keen to inform him of where he should visit in Taranaki. Taking a trip up Mt Taranaki, visiting Puke Ariki, a marae and a farm were among the suggestions, but it was the idea of going surfing that had Mr Nakamura particularly excited. He hoped he could get in a few lessons while in the region.
He is also keen to learn more about New Zealand music. He will teach Central School's choir a Japanese song.
Mr Nakamura will visit the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki, Welbourn, Westown and Vogeltown, Egmont Village and Inglewood primary schools, Te Pihipihinga Kakano Mai i Rangiatea kura kaupapa and Highlands Intermediate.
New Plymouth has sent two teachers to Mishima - James Los'e from Spotswood College and Vicki-Ann Ritchie from Inglewood Primary School.
ROCHELLE WESTrochelle.west@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Tuesday, 31 July 2007
While primary school classrooms in Japan could be viewed by outsiders as white and sterile, New Zealand classrooms are wall-to-wall colour.
The brightness of Kiwi classrooms is something that has captured the imagination of exchange teacher Mr Nakamura.
"Everything is so colourful in the classroom. Even the walls are painted in many colours.
"Everything is white in Japan. I am quite amazed that you use lots of colour and even display the children's artwork," Mr Nakamura said through an interpreter.
The 31-year-old is the first Japanese teacher to take part in the New Plymouth-Mishima teacher exchange programme, initiated during a New Plymouth District Council sister city trip to Mishima two years ago.
Mr Nakamura, who is a primary school teacher at Mukaiyama Shoggakko school in Mishima, arrived in New Plymouth on Saturday and will spend a month in various classrooms in the district.
Yesterday, while at Central School, Mr Nakamura said he was keen to introduce colour into his white classroom. Just how his superiors would react to the sudden colour explosion was another thing. "They will be very surprised."
It is the first time Mr Nakamura has been out of Japan and year six students at Central School were keen to inform him of where he should visit in Taranaki. Taking a trip up Mt Taranaki, visiting Puke Ariki, a marae and a farm were among the suggestions, but it was the idea of going surfing that had Mr Nakamura particularly excited. He hoped he could get in a few lessons while in the region.
He is also keen to learn more about New Zealand music. He will teach Central School's choir a Japanese song.
Mr Nakamura will visit the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki, Welbourn, Westown and Vogeltown, Egmont Village and Inglewood primary schools, Te Pihipihinga Kakano Mai i Rangiatea kura kaupapa and Highlands Intermediate.
New Plymouth has sent two teachers to Mishima - James Los'e from Spotswood College and Vicki-Ann Ritchie from Inglewood Primary School.
ROCHELLE WESTrochelle.west@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Tuesday, 31 July 2007
Saturday, July 28
They served Eltham
RICHARD WOODD richard.woodd@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Saturday, 28 July 2007
Eltham is mourning the loss of two of its community stalwarts.
Dorothy Lillian Nicholls died on July 19, a month short of her 91st birthday and her close friend Lawrence Stephen (Curly) Murray a day later aged 87.
Red Cross voluntary work was a common thread in their lives.
Mrs Nicholls became a Red Cross nurse in 1936, she was an Eltham branch life member and was awarded a medal for 60 years' service last year. She was awarded the NZ Order of Merit in 1996.
"The Red Cross was her life," says Jeanette Mann, the former Eltham branch secretary, now living in Southland.
During the Vietnam War, Mrs Nicholls and her husband Herbert Eckroyd (Roy) personally delivered four woolpacks of toys, clothes and medicines to a children's hospital in Saigon. Such flights were known as "teddy bear runs".
The Nicholls flew with the cargo in an RNZAF Hercules, strapped into armchairs for the long flight. Mrs Nicholls had been patron of the Eltham Plunket and Horticultural societies and was a national judge for the Taranaki Rose Society.
Her husband was the town chemist.
Mr Murray started as an apprentice joiner in 1935. He bought the N. G. Tucker Joinery business in 1957, with Ilay Stanners as a partner, and renamed it Eltham Building Supplies. It is still being operated by his two sons, Donald and Ian.
He was a member of the Taranaki Masonic Trust and his Red Cross service included repairing all wheelchairs loaned out by the Red Cross in Taranaki.
He joined the Eltham Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1938 and was chief officer 1949-63.
Eltham is mourning the loss of two of its community stalwarts.
Dorothy Lillian Nicholls died on July 19, a month short of her 91st birthday and her close friend Lawrence Stephen (Curly) Murray a day later aged 87.
Red Cross voluntary work was a common thread in their lives.
Mrs Nicholls became a Red Cross nurse in 1936, she was an Eltham branch life member and was awarded a medal for 60 years' service last year. She was awarded the NZ Order of Merit in 1996.
"The Red Cross was her life," says Jeanette Mann, the former Eltham branch secretary, now living in Southland.
During the Vietnam War, Mrs Nicholls and her husband Herbert Eckroyd (Roy) personally delivered four woolpacks of toys, clothes and medicines to a children's hospital in Saigon. Such flights were known as "teddy bear runs".
The Nicholls flew with the cargo in an RNZAF Hercules, strapped into armchairs for the long flight. Mrs Nicholls had been patron of the Eltham Plunket and Horticultural societies and was a national judge for the Taranaki Rose Society.
Her husband was the town chemist.
Mr Murray started as an apprentice joiner in 1935. He bought the N. G. Tucker Joinery business in 1957, with Ilay Stanners as a partner, and renamed it Eltham Building Supplies. It is still being operated by his two sons, Donald and Ian.
He was a member of the Taranaki Masonic Trust and his Red Cross service included repairing all wheelchairs loaned out by the Red Cross in Taranaki.
He joined the Eltham Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1938 and was chief officer 1949-63.
Saturday, July 14
Ropiha takes out Maori sportsperson award
Taranaki Saturday, 14 July 2007
Taranaki's leading amateur golfer Troy Ropiha was last night named Taranaki Maori sportsperson of the year.
Ropiha, who is in England playing in amateur events, was named overall winner after earlier taking the sportsman of the year award at a function in New Plymouth.
The full list of winners was:
Kaiwawao (game official award), Sam Tamarapa.
Kaiako (coach award), Rangi Hiroti, touch, rugby and rugby league.
Kaiwhakahaere (volunteer administrator award), Karen Brooks, netball and basketball.
Taiohi Tama (junior sportsman award), Derrin Jesse Puata, jujitsu.
Taiohi Kotiro (junior sportswoman award), Ashley Rupapera, swimming.
Pakeke Tane (senior sportsman award), Troy Ropiha, golf.
Pakeke Wahine (senior sportswoman award), Kim Hiroti, touch.
Toa Tira (Maori sports team award), Taranaki Whanui Maori rugby league.
Toa Tautoko (contribution and service to Maori sport and recreation), John Niwa, lawn bowls.
Kupu Whakanui (special commendations), Patsy Broughton, Daniel Brooks, Jan Manu, Keisha-Dean Soffe.
Toa Rongonui (sports hall of fame), George Wharehoka, Maurice Crow.
Toki o Te Tau (Taranaki Maori sportsperson of the year), Troy Ropiha, golf.
Taranaki's leading amateur golfer Troy Ropiha was last night named Taranaki Maori sportsperson of the year.
Ropiha, who is in England playing in amateur events, was named overall winner after earlier taking the sportsman of the year award at a function in New Plymouth.
The full list of winners was:
Kaiwawao (game official award), Sam Tamarapa.
Kaiako (coach award), Rangi Hiroti, touch, rugby and rugby league.
Kaiwhakahaere (volunteer administrator award), Karen Brooks, netball and basketball.
Taiohi Tama (junior sportsman award), Derrin Jesse Puata, jujitsu.
Taiohi Kotiro (junior sportswoman award), Ashley Rupapera, swimming.
Pakeke Tane (senior sportsman award), Troy Ropiha, golf.
Pakeke Wahine (senior sportswoman award), Kim Hiroti, touch.
Toa Tira (Maori sports team award), Taranaki Whanui Maori rugby league.
Toa Tautoko (contribution and service to Maori sport and recreation), John Niwa, lawn bowls.
Kupu Whakanui (special commendations), Patsy Broughton, Daniel Brooks, Jan Manu, Keisha-Dean Soffe.
Toa Rongonui (sports hall of fame), George Wharehoka, Maurice Crow.
Toki o Te Tau (Taranaki Maori sportsperson of the year), Troy Ropiha, golf.
Farm-scene art for telephone books
Taranaki Saturday, 14 July 2007
The telephone book artwork.
A weekend drive to the mountain inspired the winning entry in this year's White Pages Art Award.
New Plymouth artist Henriette Reason's painting will grace the cover of the 2007 Taranaki telephone book, due out in August. Her work is called Heard Of Cows?
"While driving I saw herds of cows. I stopped my car to have a look and the curious cows came to say hello. I had fun feeding the friendly ones, while others stood back and watched," says Danish-born Reason.
To create the artwork she made some rough sketches from photos taken of the cows, then used oil paints on canvas board.
"I wanted to convey feelings of curiosity and excitement. Taranaki is a clean, green place and the mountain portrays boldness."
She was overwhelmed about winning the award.
"I phoned my mother in Denmark to tell her the good news and I admit, I couldn't sleep that night."
Reason is a self-taught artist who only started painting in recent years.
"I've always had an interest in art, but only started painting seven years ago. I gave up my fulltime job last year to devote all of my time to my art."
She entered the awards hoping it might boost her career and, having won, hopes it will be a stepping stone towards being a successful artist.
The judges were impressed with her painting and said it had an added dimension of mischief, which went beyond depicting a herd of cows in a typical Taranaki landscape.
Reason has lived in Taranaki for 10 years and says dairy farming and the mountain are constant sources of inspiration for her art.
"Dairy farming is the heart and soul of the Taranaki region and the mountain has stood through times of change.
"I wanted my painting to reflect traditional Taranaki with an openness and courage to move ahead."
The White Pages Art Awards programme is a nationwide regional arts competition, open to all New Zealanders.
The awards are designed to promote emerging and established artists throughout the country.
The 18 regional winners each receive a cash prize of $2000. At the close of the awards programme, all entered artworks are eligible for the annual White Pages Arts Charity Auction. All money from the sale of artworks is donated to charity.
A total of $50,417 was raised for What's Up at the 2006 White Pages Arts Charity Auction.
The telephone book artwork.
A weekend drive to the mountain inspired the winning entry in this year's White Pages Art Award.
New Plymouth artist Henriette Reason's painting will grace the cover of the 2007 Taranaki telephone book, due out in August. Her work is called Heard Of Cows?
"While driving I saw herds of cows. I stopped my car to have a look and the curious cows came to say hello. I had fun feeding the friendly ones, while others stood back and watched," says Danish-born Reason.
To create the artwork she made some rough sketches from photos taken of the cows, then used oil paints on canvas board.
"I wanted to convey feelings of curiosity and excitement. Taranaki is a clean, green place and the mountain portrays boldness."
She was overwhelmed about winning the award.
"I phoned my mother in Denmark to tell her the good news and I admit, I couldn't sleep that night."
Reason is a self-taught artist who only started painting in recent years.
"I've always had an interest in art, but only started painting seven years ago. I gave up my fulltime job last year to devote all of my time to my art."
She entered the awards hoping it might boost her career and, having won, hopes it will be a stepping stone towards being a successful artist.
The judges were impressed with her painting and said it had an added dimension of mischief, which went beyond depicting a herd of cows in a typical Taranaki landscape.
Reason has lived in Taranaki for 10 years and says dairy farming and the mountain are constant sources of inspiration for her art.
"Dairy farming is the heart and soul of the Taranaki region and the mountain has stood through times of change.
"I wanted my painting to reflect traditional Taranaki with an openness and courage to move ahead."
The White Pages Art Awards programme is a nationwide regional arts competition, open to all New Zealanders.
The awards are designed to promote emerging and established artists throughout the country.
The 18 regional winners each receive a cash prize of $2000. At the close of the awards programme, all entered artworks are eligible for the annual White Pages Arts Charity Auction. All money from the sale of artworks is donated to charity.
A total of $50,417 was raised for What's Up at the 2006 White Pages Arts Charity Auction.
Saturday, July 7
The state of emergency has been lifted in tornado-hit Taranaki.
No further damage was reported during the night and the community now was busy cleaning up, said Civil Defence controller David Lean.
Police were continuing round-the-clock patrols in Oakura to ensure the security of houses and property damaged when the tornadoes struck on Thursday night.
At least six twisters hit Oakura, Egmont Village, Inglewood and the Waitara area about 5.30pm on Thursday trampling houses, trees and power poles, causing millions of dollars worth of damage and leaving dozens of families homeless.
Civil Defence spokesman Rusty Ritchie said everyone was in clean-up mode today.
The quicker this was done the better, he said, as it would prevent any further damage being caused by loose debris flying around.
Strong winds last night did cause some debris to move around.
The Taranaki District Council is to make a kerbside collection of tornado-generated rubbish at
midday
Houses which sustained the worst damage were now covered in tarpaulins and the Fire Service was on hand to resecure any which had come loose.
The Taranaki District Council (TDC) made a kerbside collection of tornado-generated rubbish today, moving quickly to reduce the risk of further damage from wind-blown debris.
But mostly the clean-up is a community effort, with friends and neighbours all helping those whose properties sustained damage, Mr Ritchie said.
"Carpenters and builders will be out there, too, getting on with the job."
The weather has calmed down and the forecast for the region is for clearing conditions and no significant wind.
A welfare centre is to remain open at Oakura Bowling Club through until at least Tuesday and the welfare hotline (0800 779 997), set up for people needing practical help or feeling the stress, would also stay open in the meantime.
Power has been restored to all but a handful of properties.
Mr Lean said Civil Defence would continue to assess the needs of people affected by the tornadoes next week.
"It's very likely that by early next week, the reality of what's happened will set in for some people, and anyone needing assistance should go to the welfare centre or use the welfare hotline," he said.
Insurance assessors were also in the region helping people with their claims. Fifty houses have already been assessed as having sustained at least 80 per cent damage. Some have been completely destroyed and some cars have been crushed by fallen trees.
Early assessment indications from the Insurance Council put the damage in New Plymouth at about $2 million, with another $5 million estimated in Oakura. Those figures were expected to rise.
The Bank of New Zealand has set up an account for donations to assist with disaster relief. People can make donations at any BNZ branch.
- NZPA
No further damage was reported during the night and the community now was busy cleaning up, said Civil Defence controller David Lean.
Police were continuing round-the-clock patrols in Oakura to ensure the security of houses and property damaged when the tornadoes struck on Thursday night.
At least six twisters hit Oakura, Egmont Village, Inglewood and the Waitara area about 5.30pm on Thursday trampling houses, trees and power poles, causing millions of dollars worth of damage and leaving dozens of families homeless.
Civil Defence spokesman Rusty Ritchie said everyone was in clean-up mode today.
The quicker this was done the better, he said, as it would prevent any further damage being caused by loose debris flying around.
Strong winds last night did cause some debris to move around.
The Taranaki District Council is to make a kerbside collection of tornado-generated rubbish at
midday
Houses which sustained the worst damage were now covered in tarpaulins and the Fire Service was on hand to resecure any which had come loose.
The Taranaki District Council (TDC) made a kerbside collection of tornado-generated rubbish today, moving quickly to reduce the risk of further damage from wind-blown debris.
But mostly the clean-up is a community effort, with friends and neighbours all helping those whose properties sustained damage, Mr Ritchie said.
"Carpenters and builders will be out there, too, getting on with the job."
The weather has calmed down and the forecast for the region is for clearing conditions and no significant wind.
A welfare centre is to remain open at Oakura Bowling Club through until at least Tuesday and the welfare hotline (0800 779 997), set up for people needing practical help or feeling the stress, would also stay open in the meantime.
Power has been restored to all but a handful of properties.
Mr Lean said Civil Defence would continue to assess the needs of people affected by the tornadoes next week.
"It's very likely that by early next week, the reality of what's happened will set in for some people, and anyone needing assistance should go to the welfare centre or use the welfare hotline," he said.
Insurance assessors were also in the region helping people with their claims. Fifty houses have already been assessed as having sustained at least 80 per cent damage. Some have been completely destroyed and some cars have been crushed by fallen trees.
Early assessment indications from the Insurance Council put the damage in New Plymouth at about $2 million, with another $5 million estimated in Oakura. Those figures were expected to rise.
The Bank of New Zealand has set up an account for donations to assist with disaster relief. People can make donations at any BNZ branch.
- NZPA
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