A section of SH2 between Napier and Hastings, photographed on 16 February. Photo: Waka Kotahi
Twenty-eight communities in Hawke's Bay are still isolated and relying on Defence Force supplies almost a month on from Cyclone Gabrielle.
The clean-up has been in full swing, with people still digging through silt, removing slash and rummaging through flood-soaked belongings.
Civil Defence controller Ian Macdonald told Morning Report getting communities reconnected will be one of the key parts of the recovery from the devastation the cyclone caused.
At present Defence Force Unimogs and helicopters have been bringing in their supplies with the isolated communities dotted across the Hawke's Bay region.
Flood damage to a section of road near Tokomaru Bay around the Mangahauini river. Photo: RNZ / Ashleigh McCaull
The biggest issue remained transportation, Macdonald said.
It would take many months to get State Highway 2 that goes to Wairoa operative while significant repairs were also needed on SH5, the Napier to Taupō highway.
As many as 100 bridges have been damaged, including some that had been destroyed.
"Trying to get access is probably going to be one of the key enablers for our recovery here in Hawke's Bay."
There were other huge problems to be sorted such as the Napier wastewater plant which was still not operating.
Several large businesses were still facing disruption, some pastoral farmers did not access in and out of their farms and orchardists were dealing with land covered by silt.
Civil Defence controller Ian Macdonald wants to reassure residents support will be available if they need it. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Meanwhile, it was important residents knew they had not been forgotten.
"This is still ongoing ... the recovery of this is going to be huge. As a community we have to be resilient and support each other and put the mechanisms in place to support people when they need that psycho-social support."
The state of emergency is due to be reviewed on Tuesday and the government would consider if it was time to move to a transition notice (or phase), Macdonald said.
Housing needs and the region's economy would be major priorities during the recovery period.
Councils, tangata whenua and central government agencies would all have a part to play.
"It's going to be a long haul."
