Missing Man Added to Cyclone Gabrielle Inquest as Search Continues

Coroner Erin Woolley has confirmed the addition of a new name, Joseph Ahuriri, to the ongoing inquest into the deaths arising from the Auckland Anniversary Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle. The inquiry, which examines the tragic fates of 18 individuals affected by the extreme weather events in January and February 2023, resumed in Hastings today.

At the hearing, it was reported that Ahuriri had been missing for over two and a half years, having last been seen as he attempted to travel from Napier to Gisborne. Just 24 hours prior, he had made the journey in the opposite direction. The police have employed various search methods, including metal-detecting drones and navy divers, in their efforts to locate both Ahuriri and his vehicle, a white Toyota Hilux with registration DZH116.

CCTV footage shows Ahuriri at a fuel stop, the sole occupant of his vehicle. He can be seen exiting the Hilux to look back towards Napier before driving away. This occurred during the time when Hawke’s Bay was experiencing record rainfall due to Cyclone Gabrielle. Ahuriri’s family fears that his vehicle may have been swept away by floodwaters or possibly caught in one of the numerous landslips that occurred on State Highway 2 during the cyclone.

The coroner’s spokesperson confirmed, “Joseph Ahuriri’s death has been referred to the coroner and will be considered as part of the joint inquiry into Cyclone Gabrielle.” The circumstances surrounding his disappearance are set to be examined in next year’s hearings.

Details of the Inquest and Related Deaths

The inquest is part of a broader investigation into the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle, which has also been linked to nine other deaths in Hawke’s Bay, Tairāwhiti Gisborne, and surrounding areas during or immediately after the cyclone. Among those who died were young children and elderly individuals. The youngest was Ivy Collins, a two-year-old whose family home in Eskdale was flooded. The oldest victim was Helen Street, aged 86, who died in Napier while dependent on supplied oxygen.

In addition to Ahuriri and the nine confirmed cyclone-related deaths, the inquiry is also reviewing three apparent self-inflicted deaths occurring in the months that followed. Due to legal restrictions, details regarding these cases remain under wraps.

The hearings in Hastings commenced this morning, focusing specifically on Cyclone Gabrielle. They are scheduled to continue for two weeks, with another session planned for next month. Witnesses will include officials from Fire and Emergency NZ, the Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group, the police, MetService, and representatives from local councils. More than a dozen lawyers are present to assist the inquiry.

As the inquiry progresses, the community remains hopeful for answers regarding the fates of those lost to the devastating effects of Cyclone Gabrielle. The ongoing search for Joseph Ahuriri serves as a poignant reminder of the cyclone’s lasting impact on many families in the region.