Level 4 lockdown restrictions halt the Waipapa infrastructure rebuild

The Taku Hiahia toilets and showers were gutted last week kicking off the start of the Waipapa infrastructure rebuild.  However, by mid-week, the government’s level 4 lockdown restrictions put a stop to the rebuild of the new ablution block. 

Trust chair, Cath Holland says the impact of the lockdown was discussed by trustees at their monthly meeting on Thursday.

“We’re worried about the current lockdown because our builders won’t be able to re-commence on site until we’re down to Level 3. This may cause problems because some of the truck deliveries and material supplies could be affected like the supply of concrete for the slab and steel.  The option is there for our builders, "ASAP", to pick up the supply materials themselves.  However, I’m told it’s a particular challenge for them to collect aggregate for the mixing of concrete for example because they will have to hand mix the concrete with concrete mixers.  It's easier for our builders if the concrete comes ready-made,” Cath informed trustees.

Cath says the other challenge that’s looming is getting consulting engineers on-site for inspections during the lockdown.

“I’m informed, if we can’t get inspections carried out on-site from either the Otorohanga District Council or consulting engineers, the work can’t progress.  Now, these circumstances are out of our control. But the trust wants to ensure our marae beneficiaries that our trustees are constantly monitoring the impact of the lockdown on the build of the new toilets and showers.  I’m also in touch with our project manager Richard Mauriohooho on a daily basis,” Cath says..

Again she reiterates the impact of the lockdown is beyond our control.

“What we can manage is being accountable for the budget.  Despite the challenge of lockdown, our job is to keep a sharp focus on the impact this has on getting the job done on budget and on time for the poukai.  Let’s put our cards on the table. The timing is crucial.  We believe, if we can keep the poukai to one day from 10 am to 2 pm, March 12, 2022, it’s still within the realms of possibility.  It may also mean that we can’t sleep anyone in Taku Hiahia.  It also means under the current circumstances, we may only be able to sleep a skeleton crew in Ngā Tai, the night before the poukai  if the rebuild is still in progress.  But let’s see how the lockdown pans out.  I’m only flagging this now.  The circumstances might change,” Cath says looking ahead to the poukai.

Cath says, “Rest assured, your trustees are monitoring the impact of the lockdown on a daily basis and we’ll keep our marae beneficiaries informed every step of the way.  But as we all know, after almost a year and a half of dealing with the fallout from Covid 19 outbreaks out in the community, nothing is set in stone.  Under this new variant Delta strain of the mutating virus, we all have to remain in lockdown.  Our priority is to keep safe and watch out for our pakeke and kaumātua.”