An uninsured Rotorua marae has been forced to turn to charity after last week's storm sent a tree through its dining room.
Paruaharanui Marae's fundraising page says the tree, believed to be about 10 metres tall, landed on the roof last Friday, creating a "significant cavity within the building... leaving Ngāti Paruaharanui of Te Arawa in distress".
Last week's sub-tropical force brought heavy rain, gale-force winds to most of the North Island and the top of the South Island.
Major repairs are underway, following extensive damage to State Highway 25 at Te Puru and widespread flooding in Kaiāua.
Another tree brought down by wind in Rotorua landed on a car, killing a woman.
The marae in Mourea is not insured, so whānau have set up a Givealittle page to help fund the repairs.
On Thursday morning $645 had been raised.
Newshub.
