Tongan RSE workers stranded in massive flooding at Hastings [1]
Tuesday, February 14, 2023 - 19:42. Updated on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 - 19:54.
At least 50 Tongan seasonal workers who are stationed near Hastings are thought to be among the orchard workers stranded by heavy flooding in Hawke's Bay today, where emergency crews were trying to reach them.
“There is still no luck in reaching the boys,” Dr. Fotu Fisi’iahi told Matangi Tonga at 3:40pm.
Facebook videos showed the precarious situation of the men stranded on the rooftops near Hastings while Cyclone Gabrielle impacted the region.
One of the orchard workers told Tevita Lata, representative for Recognized Seasonal Employees (RSE) from Tonga, that the flood began around 6:00am.
Lie Tu'imoala, one of the Tongan workers loaded up a live videos on his facebook this morning, showing how the water was coming up fast.
The orchard is near the Tūtaekurī River.
In an update on the workers from John Nicholas Pulu this afternoon from New Zealand, said that around 50 RSE workers from Tongatapu, Vava'u and Ha'apai were receiving help from their employer Mr Apple following the flood overnight.
He said, Tongan RSE liaison officer Tevita Lata [2] had been in touch with the group and was sadly unable to reach them due to damage in the area where the workers are located.
"Thankfully there is no report of any injuries at the moment. The priority now is to get the workers to safety and assess their health etc. Unfortunately their belongings are all wet and damaged. Officials in Tonga have been informed and will work with their New Zealand counterpart."
Meanwhile, media reports stated that emergency crews were struggling to reach the orchard workers stranded on the roofs in Hawke’s Bay. Fire crews were working to get to the scene at Ōmarunui Rd, in Hastings, but were finding it difficult to get through due to high floodwaters. The NZ Herald reported earlier today that a chopper rescue was also being prevented because of dangerous winds.
Up to 32 employees had arrived from the island kingdom just last week. They age from 20 years old to about 50 years old.
In Nuku'alofa, CEO of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Dr. Fotu Fisi’iahi told Matangi Tonga this afternoon that New Zealand authorities and emergency crews were still doing their best to reach the RSE orchard workers.
Radio New Zealand [3] reported this afternoon that the Tongan orchard workers “are now stranded on a hill in Fern Hill. ...The latest text to RNZ from Civil Defence said they were accompanied by police while a rescue team attempted to get them off the hill.”
“He said talks were underway about using a helicopter because the torrent of water surrounding them was so strong they might not be accessible by boat”.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/talanoa/cyclone-gabrielle-orchard-workers-cli... [4]