Kawerau’s Civil Defence Centre at Rautahi Community Marae officially closed on Tuesday, April 18 after 11 days supporting victims of the Edgecumbe floods.

At a ceremony held to recognise and thank everyone involved, Kawerau District Council Civil Defence manager Chris Jensen said his team was very special in the way they had come together.

“It was incredible. When I walked into the centre everything we’d practised was being done and (welfare managers) Hannah (Edwardson) and Sandy (Hohepa) gathered everyone around them. It was a wonderful thing to be part of.”

Chris paid special tribute to Te Waraki (Chic) Te Ruki and the trustees of the community marae for opening their doors to neighbours in need and for allowing the centre to get up and running.

Chris also acknowledged the work of the Kawerau Youth Council, which helped organise activities for the children of affected families and were there to lend a hand with anything put their way.

“Many other agencies and a dynamic crew of volunteers also contributed to the efforts,” he said.

Special thanks were given over to the work of the Māori Wardens who managed security and parking and kept the centre safe overnight.

Kawerau’s Civil Defence Centre opened its doors on Thursday, April 6, after Edgecumbe was flooded when the Rangitāiki River burst its banks. In total 654 people registered there for help, whether it was for food parcels, accommodation, clothing or other support.

Kawerau mayor Malcolm Campbell and some of his councillors were joined at the ceremony by Whakatāne mayor Tony Bonne and deputy mayor Judy Turner. Whakatāne councillors Mike van der Boom, Gerard Van Beek and Andrew Iles also attended, as did Bay of Plenty Emergency Management director Clinton Naude. Each of them thanked the volunteers involved for the amazing work under trying circumstances.

“It’s all about people,” Tony said. “On behalf of the Whakatāne district I can’t thank the volunteers enough.”