A firefighter killed in the Muriwai landslides during Cyclone Gabrielle has been remembered by his widow one year on as a "wonderful husband, father and friend to many".
Volunteer firefighters Dave van Zwanenberg and Craig Stevens were investigating a flooded property on Motutara Rd, in West Auckland, on February 13 last year when a landslide caused the house to collapse.
Stevens, 39, was rescued but died three days later in hospital. Van Zwanenberg's body was found 35 hours after the slip.
Amy van Zwanenberg paid tribute to her late partner as a "wonderful husband, father and friend to many" in a heartfelt speech as a memorial dedicated to the firefighters was unveiled at the Muriwai Fire Station this morning.
Amy said the seating area – which was "literally made with the blood, sweat and tears of the Muriwai Brigade" – would allow her to remember the 41-year-old with fondness.
The vet, she said, "detested" golf but spent countless evenings walking along the courses with her and their Spaniels; and loved kite-surfing with friends and playing with their children, George and Zara.
"While grief is love with nowhere to go, we now have an incredible place to sit, think, remember, and appreciate those we love," Amy said.
"It is so beautiful and truly special, and my family will treasure it forever."
'True heroes'
Dave van Zwanenberg, who died during a cyclone callout, is being remembered as a man who lived life to the fullest. (Source: 1News)
Amy acknowledged the "incredible people" who rallied around the family to "help us survive" as they navigated the grief of losing "our main man whom we loved so dearly".
While that fateful day was marked with "horrific memories and trauma", it was also one of "unfathomable bravery, tenacity, and dedication of all those who came to help Dave and Craig", she said.
"Dave would have described me, often to his frustration, as an eternal optimist, but the past year has taught me that there are times when it is necessary to sit with the sadness, to re-live the darkness and concede to all the pain and anguish. To process the trauma, it must be acknowledged. Today is a day to acknowledge what that looked like for so many gathered here."
Amy thanked "all those involved in the rescue effort" – in spite of the "horrendous conditions" and the "intense personal imperative of searching for one of their own".
"What you endured that night to return Dave and Craig to us was harrowing. For neither to live after all you went through must have felt as if all your indescribable efforts had been futile – an unthinkable outcome," she said.
"Knowing in my heart that you did everything you could, for as long as you could, meant the world and still does.
"You are the true heroes of that night, and I am deeply grateful for all you did."
She also acknowledged the grief of her friend Lucy Stevens, who lost her husband Craig in the tragedy.
"To have a friend to walk this road with is a burden you would never wish upon anyone but a blessing to have. Craig would be – as always – in awe of you. Your boys are so lucky to have such an intelligent, nurturing, and strong mother to help them along this challenging path that we must navigate."
'Thriving, not just surviving'
While the tragedy and the months that followed has been full of heartbreak, Amy said the "greatest key to resilience after trauma is connection" – something which was "revealed so naturally in our beautiful little community as we held each other in the aftermath that, for so many, had a long tail of painful limbo and loss".
"The thoughtful acts of generosity and care that my family has received are humbling beyond words. I have seen humanity at its best, a privilege that has dovetailed alongside the grief," she said.
"I am so thankful to the people who have been able to sit in the dark times with me and support me as I found my feet and moved slowly towards the light.
"I was held by many hands, and thus, I did not drown in the tsunami of grief."
Amy said the love and support of the community has allowed her to be strong for her children, who she called her "greatest motivation to steer our ship steadily through the rough seas and chart a course for the unknown territory ahead. A reason to strive for thriving, not just surviving".
And while the children "did not have the time they should have had with their outstanding father", she said she would ensure they would remember "what an incredibly caring and capable man he was and how devoted he was to them – a father to be exceptionally proud of".
"How lucky we were to have him in our lives, if but for a short time."
It was followed by a poem, in which Amy called Dave "a man of reliability and dependability, humour and humility, interest and integrity".
"A father and friend, a husband and hard worker, who will be missed forever but loved eternally."
'Craig and I chose to build our lives here'
Also at the memorial service, Lucy Stevens spoke of those in the community, including people who they hadn’t previously known who came to their aid and the aid of others.
That included those who knew Craig and helped rescue him from the landslide.
“I can’t imagine what it would have been like to be trapped under all that earth and rubble, but knowing he was being rescued would have given him so much comfort and hope."
The time his friends and family were able to spend with him in hospital and say goodbye meant so much to them.
She said the support shown to the family since Craig's death had meant the world to them.
“Craig and I chose to build our lives here… but the way people have pulled through the adversity this year together has shown me just how incredible and special this place is.”
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