Almost a month after June's devasting flood, RNZ visited Wairoa, a town in recovery and demanding answers.
Homes are badly damaged, some are stripped back to timber frames, and residents are forced to decide whether they can rebuild.
One resident has decided not to refurbish while another says she is not leaving her home of 50 years.
RNZ's Ashleigh McCaull and Samuel Rillstone spoke to residents. You can watch what they found at the top of this page.
More than 120 people in Wairoa are living in temporary accommodation and there are more who need it.
The council is under fire for failing to carry out its functional role over the past four years. Audio
Rawinia Harker's home was hit hard during Cyclone Gabrielle, but was hit even worse in last month's flood.
A Wairoa business owner is taking the Hawke's Bay Regional Council to court after last month's flooding in the town. Audio
The Wairoa incident - the Hawke's Bay Regional Council's role in not opening a river mouth - is under the spotlight and was front of mind during a recent meeting.
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