Survivors remember 1931 quake | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

A Survivors Afternoon Tea was held at Napier Boys' High School yesterday to commemorate the tragic events of 1931 and extend condolences to those affected by the Christchurch earthquake.

A commemorative cake was cut with the oldest and youngest survivors of the Hawke's Bay earthquake in attendance, and historian Michael Fowler shared anecdotes of four survivors he'd interviewed over the last few years.

Maurice Nicholls was the youngest survivor in attendance.

He was born on the day of the earthquake, 81 years ago.

Although he had no memories to share, he said he was in the McHardy Home nursery when the earthquake struck, "and half of it went down the hill into the ravine" below.

Mr Fowler said: "I suppose as time goes on, memories diminish and that is part of what I do, keep it alive and record it, and the Christchurch event last year has, I guess, in a lot of ways really awakened the 1931 event.

"A lot of the anguish that's happened and the discontent about the speed of rebuilding infrastructure, the same thing happened in Hawke's Bay."

He also said the identity of people in Napier was "cemented" after the earthquake.

Councillor Christine Scott also addressed the group.

She said it was important to acknowledge what the survivors had done for the city - "this is their day".

Napier MP Chris Tremain reiterated this.

He said it was a "great opportunity to acknowledge our senior citizens".

He said the most poignant thing he'd learned in his role as Minister of Civil Defence was while governments had to take responsibility, "the spirit of the community" would help get people through.

Survivors were addressed by Mayor Lawrence Yule, Ms Scott and Mr Fowler, before tea, coffee and cake were served by students of Napier Boys' High School.