A Te Tairāwhiti iwi is driving an ambitious plan to rebuild homes within six months for whānau left homeless by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki chief executive Robyn Rauna is leading the charge to replace or repair homes in the small community of Te Karaka.
Rauna said many whānau in Te Karaka felt abandoned during the cyclone.
"When our people are the most vulnerable, somebody's going to go into bat for them."
So Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki is coming up with a bold plan to rebuild and repair homes in Te Karaka and in their rohe (area).
By the end of May, the iwi aims to bring 100 portable homes to Te Karaka so whānau can live in the community while repairs are carried out.
Rauna said by the end of August, the iwi wants all repairs completed and to have whānau back living in permanent housing.
"Whilst it's a challenge that we're more than capable and ready to take on, we need everyone else to keep up with us."
Rauna is also overseeing the insurance response for her iwi.
Of the 110 homes impacted by the cyclone in the rohe, 66 homes were insured while 44 were uninsured.
"The reality is Māori whānau can't afford it … when they're just trying to put bread on the table," Rauna said.
She hopes support for uninsured whānau will be addressed in the upcoming Budget.
"We are hoping … central government will hear the cries of our people to help us help our people into warm, safe, dry homes."
But in the meantime, the iwi isn't waiting. It is using its own resources and connections to make sure uninsured whānau aren't forgotten.
"These people have been through hard times. I don't like seeing our whānau get kicked in the guts."
Made with support from New Zealand On Air and Te Māngai Pāho.
