Wednesday February 14 marks a year since the full force of Cyclone Gabrielle hit much of the North Island, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
Eleven people were killed, there were slips everywhere; flooded rivers, homes, businesses were destroyed and power and communications networks were knocked out in huge parts of Hawkes bay and Tai Rāwhiti.
Since that day large areas have since been deemed too dangerous to live in and many people are still living in temporary accommodation while they figure out their future.
In Hawke's Bay, helicopters were sent up just after sunrise to evaluate what had happened, but as those onboard saw the floodwaters rapidly rising around homes, the choppers were sent to rescue people from rooftops.
Rotorforce Helicopters Hastings owner Joe Faram spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
