Lio Tafolua loves waking up every day knowing that he’ll help someone today, and tomorrow.
Working with Māngere-based community group, I Am Māngere, he leads a team helping affected residents with lawnmowing, water blasting, moisture vacuums and rubbish skips, while connecting them with other much-needed support services.
Since the Auckland Anniversary floods last year, some streets in Māngere have been like ghost towns. Neighbourhoods around Te Ararata Stream and Harania Creek were hard hit, with families having to move out until their homes were made safe to live in again.
But with the necessary repairs now being completed at these homes, and local flood risk solutions in planning, people are returning. Lio says while they’re happy to be home, they have been overwhelmed by the clean-up needs at their properties.
Picking up the pieces
“Garages here tend to be behind the house, closer to the streams running behind their properties. Since garages flooded first, people lost things like lawnmowers and other outdoor equipment. Sadly, some equipment was also looted while people were away,” Lio explains.
“We started mowing lawns first, and then we realised there was still a lot of storm rubbish in the yards, overgrown with grass. There was also a need for water blasters to get rid of silt and watermarks on the houses to stop long-term damage.
“The area convenor for the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office had secured funding to support community recovery work. So, we asked them for help with skips and clean-up equipment. With this additional funding we’ve been able to do much more.”
On any given week the team could be cutting around 20 lawns across Māngere, and lending out a range of equipment to help returning residents clear up their properties. They also help whānau to do it themselves in the way they want to, dropping the gear off and teaching them how to use it.
It’s often a family affair for Lio and other I Am Māngere staff whose families chip in, helping at events and taking the BBQ trailer out to cook free sausages for the community.
“What I love about this job is getting up knowing that I’m going to help someone today, and tomorrow. Being out and about and continuing to check in on these families,” Lio says.
“The beauty of seeing the streets transformed from then to now is really something. And with people moving back in, it’s starting to feel like it’s alive again. But even after people have moved back, it’s a long road to recovery.”
Some of the mowing crew
A community effort
Community response and recovery has been a team effort in Māngere ever since the first night of the storms last year. Lio says passionate community groups have been there from day dot including twosevenfive, Mangere East Family Services, the 275 Times, The Te Ararata Stream Team, Turuki Health Care, Ambury Farm, BBM, Toll Group, Kainga Ora, Mangere Bridge Neighbourhood Support, churches and more.
“Everyone has a role here, and we have become much closer through the experience. We’ve shared funding, tools and equipment, and collaborated on events and door knocking,” says Lio.
“There is support in this community for almost anything. One woman that we helped with her lawns and rubbish also had her plants taken while she was away. We were able to connect her to local partners that gave her new plants and helped with mulching.
“For people who were still without furniture and household items, we’ve been able to refer them to the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office for Red Cross furniture packages. And for more substantial needs, there are good feedback loops with the Recovery Office where we share what we are seeing on the ground, and they help us problem solve.
“Community recovery is not an easy thing. It’s difficult on many levels – and there is no magic wand. We are happy to contribute what we do best, and are really thankful to Auckland Council and the Red Cross for their constant help and encouragement.”
Mormon clean up team outside I Am Mangere's community hub
A serious message about stream dumping
A major concern for Lio is seeing the illegal dumping in local streams including trolleys, mattresses and rubbish bags, even after the stream has just been cleaned out.
“People don’t realise that dumping in streams makes the flooding more dangerous for neighbouring families," Lio cautions.
"We want more people to understand that blocking the waterways actually puts lives at risk."
“There is genuine help available to remove your rubbish – so please reach out.”
Contact I Am Mangere
You can visit the I Am Māngere Team at shop 7a in the Māngere Town Centre, phone them on 027 348 9454, email connect@iamhapori.co.nz, or visit their mobile hub by appointment. Check out the I Am Māngere website and social media pages for more information.
I Am Māngere also has a Storm Recovery Navigator available to support families and whānau affected by the severe weather events of early 2023. This service is delivered in partnership with the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office.
