A severe weather event in February 2026 brought torrential rainfall across Banks Peninsula. It triggeed a local State of Emergency and caused significant flooding that shut down Tricia Hewlett Art and many other Little River businesses.
Severe weather unleashed extreme rainfall, ripping out riverbanks and felling forests in the catchment areas above us, which swamped the Little River valley. This was the third flood since we moved into Little River and the second major flood event my partner, Paul and I have experienced.
Some of you will know Paul and I were impacted by a flood event in 2021 while living and working on Hinewai Reserve. You can read about that event here.
This time, our house, garage, sheds, greenhouse, garden, and yards were flooded with black (contaminated) water. Along with many others in our community, we evacuated and are still out of our house at the time of writing this, six months post-flood
We spent the first few weeks staying at the amazing SiloStay Accommodation. Then, Mum loaned us her camper. The belongings we save were stacked in a container and the house was gutted.
We are so grateful to be surrounded by a caring community who have checked in, helped with food, shared laughs, and supported us in a multitude of ways.
Initially, I shut down my web sales and mourned the loss of artwork and materials. Then, our community came to the fore, offering a large cupboard to work in. I was able to set up a desk and some shelving, which allowed me to open my web sales. This also meant I had a place to launch our new Peninsula Art Club.
So, although my own artwork and studies are still on hold, I am back to teaching and enjoying the space to make lesson samplers and have my stock available.
Meanwhile, on the home front, we have taken on a scary mortgage and lifted our house; the floor is being replaced this week, and then the rest of the repairs can take place. We should be back in our forever home by October, approx. 8 months after the flood.
The plan is to celebrate the reopening of my studio in November, one year after the original opening celebration, which sadly only lasted 4 months until it was closed again.
The wins of this situation are the amazing people we have met; locals, contractors, curious passerbys and reconnecting friends. Thank you to you all.
You can read about our situation here:
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