Seeking apology

While the damage was mainly in the town, the floods also affected services to the large farming hinterland.

The people of Wairoa have blamed inaction by HBRC for the disaster and feelings against the regional council are still running high in the township.

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little told Rural News that people in the town still don't feel the council is listening to them.

He says HBRC haven't admitted they have done anything wrong and therein lies the problem.

"When you have done something wrong you have to acknowledge that and then talk to the people you have really hurt and who are suffering - and they haven't done that yet.

"So, they must start looking at themselves and start dealing fairly and honestly with the people in our community and they haven't done that," he says.

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Little's comments follow the release of an independent report by former Police Commissioner Mike Bush about what happened during the floods.

He says the town was already grieving the damage wrought by Cyclone Gabrielle and adds that the somewhat sinister river mouth looms over the town.