Eleven lives were lost when Cyclone Gabrielle tore across the North Island bringing chaos and and destruction.
One year on from the once-in-a-century cyclone, whānau are still struggling with grief.
Hawke's Bay suffered the most losses when rivers burst their banks and sodden land gave way. Both young and old were swept to their deaths.
Life was also lost up north in Tairāwhiti and in Muriwai where two volunteer firefighters died serving their community.
Ivy Collins
Ivy Collins was the youngest life lost in Cyclone Gabrielle.
Daughter of Ella and Jack Collins, she was tragically swept away from her pregnant mother's shoulders as the family sought safety at a neighbour's house after the Esk River sent a torrent of water towards them.
The family had woken at 3am to discover water in the house, realising their lives were in danger, Jack’s brother Adam Collins told the NZ Herald.
"At that point they knew they had to get out. It’s a one-storey house, they didn’t have roof space."
Ivy's mother Ella described her as "our beautiful baby girl," and as a "bright shining light ... [who] charged through life with a beautiful smile on her face regardless of what stood in her way".
Brendan Lewis Miller
Brendan Lewis Miller was found dead on February 18.
The 43-year-old is believed to have died after his work truck washed away in floodwaters after it was driven over a collapsed bridge.
His body was retrieved from the Kikowhero stream by a neighbour in Crownthorpe
Miller's obituary said he was "one of life's characters and a good friend to many".
He had one son, Henry, who was described as his "shining star".
Helen Street
Helen Street died at her home in the Napier suburb of Onekawa two days after the cyclone lashed Hawke's Bay.
She was 86 years old and depended on an electricity-powered oxygen machine at home and oxygen tanks when out and about.
The family of the much-loved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother are upset they still don't know whether there will be an inquest into her death.
They believe it was caused by rationing of the oxygen supply she relied on.
Ian McKenzie McLauchlan
Ian McKenzie McLauchlan was found deceased in Waiohiki on February 17.
He was 76, had two children and was described as dearly loved by his wife in his obituary,
"Police's thoughts and condolences are with Ian's family and friends," a police spokesperson said at the time.
John Coates
John Coates died in his home in Te Karaka, 30km northwest of Gisborne, as rescuers desperately tried to reach him.
Floodwaters engulfed his home when the Waipāoa River breached in multiple places.
The 500 Te Karaka residents who did make it to safety would end up spending 27 hours trapped on a hill waiting for help.
Coates was part of a family that had lived in the area for over a century.
A farmer, Coates also ran an earthmoving company and was a "huge member of the community," Te Karaka resident Shawn Smyth said.
Susane Caccioppoli
Susane Caccioppoli was described as a "devoted and protective" mother.
She had survived breast cancer twice but died after she was swept away by rising floodwaters that hit a Hawke's Bay home she was housesitting.
Bianka-Lee Bryan, Caccioppoli's daughter, described her mother as cheerful, welcoming and king.
She was always available for a coffee, chat and laugh.
"She will be remembered as a devoted and protective mother, oma, daughter and sister, with so much love to give," Bryan said in an emotional tribute on social media.
"She was gifted with a voice of an angel, blessing everyone at the local country music club for many years. She was always happiest when with her family."
Marie Greene
Marie Green died in her cottage in Puketapu, west of Napier when the Tūtaekurī River burst its banks and sent a torrent of water towards her home.
Green was described by her loving daughter Rachel as "generous and kind".
Her cousin Lance Julian described her as "one of the most generous people you'd ever meet," on a Givealittle page set up to support her daughter.
"She had the sort of personality that everyone gravitated towards. She was an all-round people person who loved being with her friends and family. She was a smiling face on the checkout at New World in Greenmeadows," he said.
Shona Wilson
Shona Wilson died when a slip crashed through her home in Tūtira, north of Napier.
The mother of three teens was desperately searched for by her partner, Bill Chrystal, who survived the slip along with Wilson’s daughter
They dug for hours in the dark through almost four metres of mud to try and save Wilson.
The slip had crashed through a bedroom in the corner of the house on their Matahoura Rd lifestyle block.
Had the slip been a metre closer, all three would likely have died.
George Luke
George Luke died following a slip on Taihape-Napier Rd as Cyclone Gabrielle hit.
Luke and his partner Mau Goodman were returning to hastings via the winding route over the Kaweka Ranges.
When no one heard from them, a desperate search was launched and they were eventually located and evacuated by a helicopter.
Luke later died at Hawke's Bay Hospital.
Luke, who was the father of former Kiwis star Issac Luke, was especially mourned by the Taranaki rugby league community.
His son said he was "broken" by his father's death.
"My first hero," he wrote on social media. "See you soon dad. I love you."
Dave van Zwanenberg
Dave van Zwanenberg was described as the "cornerstone" of his family's life.
The volunteer firefighter, veterinarian and father was killed in a slip at Muriwai while helping evacuate residents.
He is remembered for his good humour, authentic care, intelligence and aptitude at anything he became interested in.
"First and foremost, a family man, Dave was dedicated to spending quality time with his children and building a life to nurture their growth," his widow Amy van Zwanenberg said last year.
"You give me the strength to continue to be the mum I need to be, to help Dave’s beautiful children thrive despite this pain, and to be the legacy that he would be most proud of."
Craig Stevens
Craig Stevens died in hospital two days after he was critically injured in the same slip that killed his fellow volunteer firefighter Dave van Zwanenberg.
Stevens had a wife, Lucy, and two children Kauri, 6, and Tai, 4.
On a Givealittle set up for the family, friend Alex Leech said that Stevens "grabbed life with both hands and shook it into submission, no matter what the situation.
Stevens once said his mum told him to walk into any room like he owned the place, and "he sure did do that", Leech added.
"Well stand aside Jesus, there’s a new guy in charge of heaven now."
