The floods in the north have thankfully been just an inconvenience for us, Jemima our 19 year old was stuck between slips north of Puhoi for many hours last Friday but that was it.
Lorna you have been top of my mind, how are you coping and are you cut off or OK?
Is everyone else who lives in the regions impacted doing OK?

Thank you for your concern, Helen. I am warm, dry and comfortable but will have to wait for my specialists consultation which was supposed to be tomorrow. Could take months to get another appointment, but then, it will probably take months for the roads out of Whitianga to be passable. I don't know how they're going to get supplies into Whitianga, all the roads are unusable, especially the main SH25a which has completely washed away at the top of the hill and word is that it's not an easy fix and may not even be considered for repairs/replacement for for several months.

The other roads into Whitianga, i.e. The 309, the Tapu-Coroglen and the Whangapoua roads are all closed, and I dare say the Coromandel to Thames SH will be damaged in some places. We are completely cut off with no other way in and out. Our small airfield has only grass runways which are so sodden, they won't be able to be used for goodness knows how long! I can see us having to take a boat trip to Whangamata to be able to get anywhere else.

Lorna, thank you for your update. I am so sorry for your current situation, and especially a specialist appointment. Hopefully, you will be given priority when the time comes because the situation is totally out of your control. At least you are safe and have your home intact. Something that you are no doubt grateful for. The ramifications of the flooding will be huge. Can helicopters be used to get mail and some supplies in? I just can’t get my head around it. Best wishes, Lorna and I sincerely hope that a solution will be found post haste.

Chris, thank you for your kind thoughts. Re my appointment, I have already been given and alterntive date of 16th Feb. Now it's just a matter of waiting to see how we get out of Whitianga. Probably have to drive just past Tairua and turn off to go through Whangamata and Paeroa. Will add a couple of hours to the trip but will be worth it provided all their roads are open. It's a guessing game and we have to watch the news daily to see if there's any change. We'll survive one way or another. Some traffic is getting through as the Couriers are still delivering and there's still stuff on the supermarket shelves. I saw on the news last night that they are saying the Coromandel Peninsula is in danger of being declared uninhabitable, but how they're going to rehouse us all, and where, is anyone's guess. I'm living life as normal, trying to carry on as usual, but can't help wondering when food supplies, etc are going to run out. Using helicopters as you suggest would greatly increase the cost of everything, probably to the point where we couldn't afford to buy them anyway!! And someone has suggested that each time a plane-load of supplies is due, we could close the main highway that runs alongside the airstrip, and allow the plane to land and take off from there! Great innovative thinking. The little road into the airport and the parking lot are sealed so there you go! Problem solved.

Great that you are remaining positive, Lorna and that your appointment is sorted. Despite the long way round to your destination, it might give you a chance to stock up on what you need and hopefully avoid some of the inevitable price increases. All the best.

Wishing you well, Lorna. Very interesting to read your informative pieces. Thank you.