Up the coast from Gisborne, the isolated town of Ruatorea is cut off, without power, and hardly any reception.
Local residents are staying connected - and getting food parcels to each other across broken roads.
Tairāwhiti councillor and civil defence member Rawinia Parata lives there.
She says the clock is ticking, as diesel for generators is running low, and without freezers precious kai could spoil.
And there's no confirmation when fuel or food might arrive.
