Weather-related disruption to water supplies in a small lower North Island settlement will not impact its historically significant Anzac Day commemoration on Saturday.
By Sue Teodoro of Local Democracy Reporting
Up to 500 people were expected to attend the traditional Anzac ceremony in Tīnui, with event organisers confirming all contingencies had been planned for.
Tīnui is considered to be the site of the first formal Anzac service in April 1916, held in its town hall, one year after Australian and New Zealand troops landed at Gallipoli.
The Wairarapa Emergency Operations Centre controller, Matt Vins, said while the damage meant potable water was currently being trucked in to Tīnui, there was no disruption to residential water supply.
Alan Emerson, chair of the Tinui Anzac Trust, said nothing would stop the commemoration going ahead," he said.
"The ceremony has been going for the last 110 years, and we are not going to stop it now.
“I have been assured the water will be on.
"If it’s not on, we have contingency plans in place. We always get upwards of 500 people attending, and we are expecting similar numbers this year."
This week’s flooding and severe weather compromised the settlement’s water supplies with supplies now having to be trucked in.
A statement from the Wairarapa Emergency Operations Centre on Wednesday afternoon confirmed the issue.
"The Tīnui water supply has been impacted and twice-daily water supplies are being provided by water tanker," it said.
Wairarapa Emergency Operations Centre controller, Matt Vins said on Thursday the Masterton District Council utility services team was monitoring the Tīnui water supply following impacts from the weather.
"Potable water is currently being trucked into Tīnui as required to support household water supply," he said.
"This will continue while the situation is monitored and repair requirements are being finalised. At this stage, works are expected to be completed by 1 May with urgent repairs taking place earlier where possible."
Vins said to fix the issue, the team needed to rebuild supports that held the water pipe across the river, which were damaged during the weather event.
"This is a more involved repair, but the temporary system in place currently should mean there is no disruption to residential water supply.
"In relation to Anzac Day commemorations in Tīnui on Saturday, we are aware that a large number of people are expected to attend."
The water being trucked in was being used to fill the town supply tank that households draw from – so the community could continue to use all their household water taps as normal.
He advised those travelling to take care on the roads, as weather impacts remained in parts of the region.
Emerson said the event keynote speaker, Major Fiona Cassidy (retired) was expected to be a highlight. He also confirmed the legendary Tīnui Anzac morning tea would be laid on by the local Women’s Institute.
"There will be a state-of-the-art morning tea," he said.
Vins said updates would be provided if there was any change to the water supply situation.
The storm earlier this week caused widespread disruption across the lower North Island. Wairarapa was impacted, although not to the same extent as in Wellington City. A state of emergency remains in place in both areas while damage is assessed and recovery efforts are underway.
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
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