Blues players have celebrated Auckland Anniversary Day by lending their city a helping hand after the devastation caused by flooding in the region since Friday.
Star first-five Beauden Barrett and prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi were among squad members in action at the Mangere Memorial Hall, helping dozens of others who had foregone their public holiday to organise food, clothes, toiletries and medication for those in need.
"It feels really good to be able to help out," said Barrett. "There are so many other people here doing a fantastic job.
"There are so many people who don't have homes at the moment and have been affected badly by the floods, and it feels great to be able to help out.
"What's happening here just shows how much people care about the community and those around them."
Kiwi boxing great David Tua was also among those assisting with the packaging and transportation of aid materials.
Government agencies, including Civil Defence, Ministry of Social Development and Kainga Ora, are working alongside Pasifika groups at the hub, as well as doctors and nurses providing medical assistance.
Four people have now lost their lives in the flash floods that hit Auckland over the last three days and millions of dollars of damage has occurred. A state of emergency remains in place in Auckland and further south in regional Waitomo.
Auckland is expected to receive further heavy rain over the coming days. MetService has issued an updated heavy rain warning for Auckland and Great Barrier Island for 12 hours from January 31 at 6pm.
Auckland Council says, if rain continues at this pace, further flooding and landslides are expected.
