Gita: Food shortage hits Takaka, cut off after storm

It could be a year before the top of the South Island gets back to normal after the damage wrought by Cyclone Gita. Thousands of people are still trapped in Golden Bay after after huge slips on the Takaka Hill road cut the only road access. On Wednesday there was panicked buying of food and water, and Takaka's supermarket ran out of essential supplies including bread, milk, and toilet paper. A barge loaded with food and water is due to arrive on Thursday. In the meantime Takaka restaurant owners have had to be creative with their menus. Michele George owns the Brigand Cafe and Bar in Takaka, and she says businesses like hers are also feeling the food shortage. She told RNZ reporter Logan Church she will have to start being creative with her menu.