Weathering the storm: Farmer resilience and recovery in Gisborne-Tairāwhiti after Cyclone Gabrielle

Abstract

Cyclone Gabrielle struck the East Coast of New Zealand in February 2023, causing extensive damage across the Gisborne–Tairāwhiti region. This report examines farmer resilience and recovery nearly two years after the event, drawing on in-depth interviews and farm visits conducted in late 2024. It documents the physical impacts of the cyclone and subsequent severe weather events on soils, waterways, infrastructure, livestock systems, and cropping and horticultural enterprises. Beyond visible damage, the report analyses how repeated storm events reshaped land capability, altered farm management decisions, and affected long-term productivity and viability. Using an ecological, economic, and social resilience framework, the findings show that recovery is not a discrete phase but an ongoing process shaped by cumulative environmental stress, financial pressure, labour constraints, and emotional strain. The research highlights the interconnected nature of land degradation, reduced grazing capacity, cash flow challenges, and mental wellbeing, while also documenting the critical role of informal networks, marae, farm discussion groups, iwi organisations, and local leadership in sustaining recovery. The report concludes that resilience is built over time through land-use decisions, debt structures, infrastructure investment, and community cohesion. Strengthening long-term resilience in Gisborne–Tairāwhiti will require integrated approaches that address erosion-prone landscapes, funding mechanisms, regulatory settings, and rural social infrastructure alongside farm-level adaptation.