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Evacuated families at Reefton civil defence headquarters - Inangahua Earthquake.1968.
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DescriptionGrateful evacuated families at Reefton civil defence headquarters.
Kete West Coast
Date of Photo1968Map[1]
Kete West Coast
Date of Photo1968Map[1]
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Location (city or town)ReeftonEventEvacuated families at Reefton civil defence headquarters - Inangahua Earthquake.1968.
Category Information
Category Tagearthquake
From Facebook
Date Created17th June 2022CommentsEmily Myrtle Manson
That photo was my good friend ELlen poulton and children her mother Mrs Bell from hokatika the children were Anita Tony Brian Christopher not showing is Debbie...had lots of nice times with that family
Alice Gilsenan
Noel Southon and Ellen poulton her Mum n some of her children I was only 11 kms away as the crow flys and set off on a bike to try n get to my family only got to other side of Westport bridge n got stopped.police came around late that same day n was able to talk to my Mum and sister Meryl on the system they had set up from their cars to find out they were all alive n safe .terrible time tho
Susan Hajek
I was 4 years old then,but still remember our home stead with a bulder through the middle of the house.
Geoffrey Bell
I ended back there with them that night. Two of us technicians were out checking the Grey Valley Telephone Exchanges for damage that morning when we were instructed to go to Inangahua Junction, as communication was lost with the area. We were flown in from The Landing by an Iroquois helicopter. The Exchange was wrecked so we joined the Civil Defence people and helped to evacuate the area, as the Buller River was dammed by a slip which could have let go at any time. We walked out a certain distance bringing woman and children and were picked up by a land-rover and ferried to the NZ Forestry Headquarters. Used by the Civil Defence.
Marcy Robertson
My Nana was trapped under her tall boy in this earthquake airlifted to nelson I'm pretty sure my 2 uncles were taken at the same time.
Vern Pattinson
Remember it well
Elizabeth Mehrtens
Living in Reefton at the vacant houses soon began to be lived on again as families moved into town and yes the slip in the upper Buller gorge was a grave concern so have an old paper hear in my house published by the news would love to pass it on to the right person to care for or put it in a museum some where
Alison Glass
Remember it well very scary
Phil Wright
I remember chimneys going down in Blenheim,so it would have been rough on the Coast..!
Loretta Donnelly
We were lucky that it happened so early in the morning. There would have been way more casualties later in the day.
Ian Gilbertson
Sure looks like her
Peter Warren
Alison Bell-Allen...?
Marilyn Paterson
I’m pretty sure that’s Flo Bell from Hokitika in the middle.
Dulcie Bell?
Jennie Scott
Felt strongly in Hokitika too. I was 9 and hid from the noise under the blankets till Dad hauled us out
Marion Maxwell
I was 6 in Westport for that. Was a terrible experience..
Adrienne Humphreys
My 6 year old son slept through it and cried because he
çoùldnt go to sçĥool we lìvedat Ngakawau 6 miles from the epicenter I was 7 months pregnant sand ŵanted the loo ɓadly ɓut my husband wouldn't let me get oùt of bed but finally did ɓetween àfteŕ shocks
Catherine Carey
Photo of my mum sister n her children they lived at inangahua junction in railway houses at time of earthquake
Michaela Perkins
I can feed some after the next one. I also stocked up on my meds, and first aid gear. Im prepared to help others. Are you prepared?
Rob Lunn
I can still vividly remember it as a ten year old,my younger brother and I shared a large bedroom and were woken by our beds bouncing from one end of the room to the other and I heard Dad yell stay where you are then crash the double brick chimney came straight through the roof in the lounge we went to school in the morning and good old Dobson was certainly shifting around with after shocks and mine bumps combined I was probably just a bit young to be scared but it was very different
Vivianne Nisbet
My Mum, ended up with the headmasters wife, who was very pregnant and very concerned for her husband, who was still out there. Mum hated earthquakes but still opened the house for her.
Doris Blanchard
I was living in Cobden at that time and experienced that earthquake.
Cross Cosand
Mother's looked concerned.
Not so much the kids.
Jennifer Griffin
I was 6yr old in Reefton lived right beside the playground. Me and my brother Paul were playing outside in the playground with all the aftershocks but didn't feel them as we were swinging anyways
Geoffrey Bell
I ended back there with them that night. Two of us technicians were out checking the Grey Valley Telephone Exchanges for damage that morning when we were instructed to go to Inangahua Junction, as communication was lost with the area. We were flown in from The Landing by an Iroquois helicopter. The Exchange was wrecked so we joined the Civil Defence people and helped to evacuate the area, as the Buller River was dammed by a slip which could have let go at any time. We walked out a certain distance bringing woman and children and were picked up by a land-rover and ferried to the NZ Forestry Headquarters. Used by the Civil Defence.
Bobby Turner
Remember it well.I was a teenager.The dear lady a few houses down was terrified,I was a her house when a few little tremors happened and she was yelling for us kids to get under the table.It didn't scare me much but that poor soul was terrified. ?
Margaret Mulloy
Judy Tawhiti same here Judy my niece was born that day In grey
Ray Chandler
Sure was a rough day we will never forget Alice.
Judy Tawhiti
Still remember it like yesterday.
Diane Cowan
Yes it was terrifying.
Phil Wright
I remember chimneys going down in Blenheim,so it would have been rough on the Coast..!
Jenny Haines
Lived in HOKITIKA, was 9yrs old....scared the jeepers out of us we all jumped into our parents bed. When ChCh earthquakes happened was prepared and wasn't scared or affected.
Emily Myrtle Manson
That photo was my good friend ELlen poulton and children her mother Mrs Bell from hokatika the children were Anita Tony Brian Christopher not showing is Debbie...had lots of nice times with that family
Raelene Beth Wendi Wilson
Aaaw the worry on the mother's faces
Catherine Carey
Photo of my mum sister n her children they lived at inangahua junction in railway houses at time of earthquake
Ed Dando
No health and safety back then . Who cares ?we went to greymouth high same day . Big old brick buildings
Ed Dando
That was a big bastard ?
Gary Leech
I remember it well living in our Dunollie home.
The sound of chimney bricks sliding down the iron roofing before the chimney succumbed completely.
I remember still going to Greymouth to work in the courthouse.
Colin Skates
As an 18 yr old apprentice carpenter our company was employed by State advances repairing State houses in Cobden, mainly replacing collapsed brick chimneys and roof framing and cladding where chimneys had collapsed on them. By memory there was a priority system for repairs with most vulnerable done first. Used to come home black as from the soot. It was amazing how stoic the people were, with the upheaval to their lives. A time when everyone pulled together, but also recall that there was some bribery to jump the queue, especially with the builders that came from over the hill accepting backhanders from some to get their repairs done first.
Elizabeth Mehrtens
Living in Reefton at the vacant houses soon began to be lived on again as families moved into town and yes the slip in the upper Buller gorge was a grave concern so have an old paper hear in my house published by the news would love to pass it on to the right person to care for or put it in a museum some where
Susan Hajek
I was 4 years old then,but still remember our home stead with a bulder through the middle of the house.
Catherine Carey
Photo of my mum sister n her children they lived at inangahua junction in railway houses at time of earthquake
Margaret Mulloy
Judy Tawhiti same here Judy my niece was born that day In grey
Pauline Radich
It’s a long time ago, but I remember it well x
Geoffrey Bell
I ended back there with them that night. Two of us technicians were out checking the Grey Valley Telephone Exchanges for damage that morning when we were instructed to go to Inangahua Junction, as communication was lost with the area. We were flown in from The Landing by an Iroquois helicopter. The Exchange was wrecked so we joined the Civil Defence people and helped to evacuate the area, as the Buller River was dammed by a slip which could have let go at any time. We walked out a certain distance bringing woman and children and were picked up by a land-rover and ferried to the NZ Forestry Headquarters. Used by the Civil Defence.
Linda Gascoigne
Oh yum biscuits let's stuff those down. ?
Elizabeth Mehrtens
Living in Reefton at the vacant houses soon began to be lived on again as families moved into town and yes the slip in the upper Buller gorge was a grave concern so have an old paper hear in my house published by the news would love to pass it on to the right person to care for or put it in a museum some where
Marilyn Paterson
I’m pretty sure that’s Flo Bell from Hokitika in the middle.
Dulcie Bell?
Kevin Bell
My Mum sister and nephews and nieces before coming down to Hokitika.?
John White
Oh good for you Geoff on both counts. Who was the Blackball girl? My experience is that you’re a lucky man to get a West Coast girl (double points if they are from Grey Valley).
Cheers
Emily Myrtle Manson
That photo was my good friend ELlen poulton and children her mother Mrs Bell from hokatika the children were Anita Tony Brian Christopher not showing is Debbie...had lots of nice times with that family
Heather Reid
I lived in Chch an all platesetc fell on floor didn't no what was happening as lived on own I was so scared
Shona McLaren
I watched the ground on one of the paddocks open up then close again with that big aftershock later in the morning. I crapped myself and wouldn't go in that paddock for ages.
Wendy Jarman
My poppy Noel Southon
See translation
Jude Wastney
We lived in Granity and I was 16. I was nearly killed by the only free standing wardrobe in our 6 bdrm house. People in Granity helped each other out, ensured everyone was safe. We had about 40 people having cuppa's at our house.
Margaret Mulloy
Judy Tawhiti same here Judy my niece was born that day In grey
Edited
John White
Oh good for you Geoff on both counts. Who was the Blackball girl? My experience is that you’re a lucky man to get a West Coast girl (double points if they are from Grey Valley).
Cheers
Linda Ellis
We lived on Hattie St, Reefton. I was 5yo and can remember the fridge falling over and the many jars of blackberry jelly shooting out the kitchen cupboards. Chimney fell through into the bedroom and watertank collapsed. Luckily there was another railway house we moved into.
That photo was my good friend ELlen poulton and children her mother Mrs Bell from hokatika the children were Anita Tony Brian Christopher not showing is Debbie...had lots of nice times with that family
Alice Gilsenan
Noel Southon and Ellen poulton her Mum n some of her children I was only 11 kms away as the crow flys and set off on a bike to try n get to my family only got to other side of Westport bridge n got stopped.police came around late that same day n was able to talk to my Mum and sister Meryl on the system they had set up from their cars to find out they were all alive n safe .terrible time tho
Susan Hajek
I was 4 years old then,but still remember our home stead with a bulder through the middle of the house.
Geoffrey Bell
I ended back there with them that night. Two of us technicians were out checking the Grey Valley Telephone Exchanges for damage that morning when we were instructed to go to Inangahua Junction, as communication was lost with the area. We were flown in from The Landing by an Iroquois helicopter. The Exchange was wrecked so we joined the Civil Defence people and helped to evacuate the area, as the Buller River was dammed by a slip which could have let go at any time. We walked out a certain distance bringing woman and children and were picked up by a land-rover and ferried to the NZ Forestry Headquarters. Used by the Civil Defence.
Marcy Robertson
My Nana was trapped under her tall boy in this earthquake airlifted to nelson I'm pretty sure my 2 uncles were taken at the same time.
Vern Pattinson
Remember it well
Elizabeth Mehrtens
Living in Reefton at the vacant houses soon began to be lived on again as families moved into town and yes the slip in the upper Buller gorge was a grave concern so have an old paper hear in my house published by the news would love to pass it on to the right person to care for or put it in a museum some where
Alison Glass
Remember it well very scary
Phil Wright
I remember chimneys going down in Blenheim,so it would have been rough on the Coast..!
Loretta Donnelly
We were lucky that it happened so early in the morning. There would have been way more casualties later in the day.
Ian Gilbertson
Sure looks like her
Peter Warren
Alison Bell-Allen...?
Marilyn Paterson
I’m pretty sure that’s Flo Bell from Hokitika in the middle.
Dulcie Bell?
Jennie Scott
Felt strongly in Hokitika too. I was 9 and hid from the noise under the blankets till Dad hauled us out
Marion Maxwell
I was 6 in Westport for that. Was a terrible experience..
Adrienne Humphreys
My 6 year old son slept through it and cried because he
çoùldnt go to sçĥool we lìvedat Ngakawau 6 miles from the epicenter I was 7 months pregnant sand ŵanted the loo ɓadly ɓut my husband wouldn't let me get oùt of bed but finally did ɓetween àfteŕ shocks
Catherine Carey
Photo of my mum sister n her children they lived at inangahua junction in railway houses at time of earthquake
Michaela Perkins
I can feed some after the next one. I also stocked up on my meds, and first aid gear. Im prepared to help others. Are you prepared?
Rob Lunn
I can still vividly remember it as a ten year old,my younger brother and I shared a large bedroom and were woken by our beds bouncing from one end of the room to the other and I heard Dad yell stay where you are then crash the double brick chimney came straight through the roof in the lounge we went to school in the morning and good old Dobson was certainly shifting around with after shocks and mine bumps combined I was probably just a bit young to be scared but it was very different
Vivianne Nisbet
My Mum, ended up with the headmasters wife, who was very pregnant and very concerned for her husband, who was still out there. Mum hated earthquakes but still opened the house for her.
Doris Blanchard
I was living in Cobden at that time and experienced that earthquake.
Cross Cosand
Mother's looked concerned.
Not so much the kids.
Jennifer Griffin
I was 6yr old in Reefton lived right beside the playground. Me and my brother Paul were playing outside in the playground with all the aftershocks but didn't feel them as we were swinging anyways
Geoffrey Bell
I ended back there with them that night. Two of us technicians were out checking the Grey Valley Telephone Exchanges for damage that morning when we were instructed to go to Inangahua Junction, as communication was lost with the area. We were flown in from The Landing by an Iroquois helicopter. The Exchange was wrecked so we joined the Civil Defence people and helped to evacuate the area, as the Buller River was dammed by a slip which could have let go at any time. We walked out a certain distance bringing woman and children and were picked up by a land-rover and ferried to the NZ Forestry Headquarters. Used by the Civil Defence.
Bobby Turner
Remember it well.I was a teenager.The dear lady a few houses down was terrified,I was a her house when a few little tremors happened and she was yelling for us kids to get under the table.It didn't scare me much but that poor soul was terrified. ?
Margaret Mulloy
Judy Tawhiti same here Judy my niece was born that day In grey
Ray Chandler
Sure was a rough day we will never forget Alice.
Judy Tawhiti
Still remember it like yesterday.
Diane Cowan
Yes it was terrifying.
Phil Wright
I remember chimneys going down in Blenheim,so it would have been rough on the Coast..!
Jenny Haines
Lived in HOKITIKA, was 9yrs old....scared the jeepers out of us we all jumped into our parents bed. When ChCh earthquakes happened was prepared and wasn't scared or affected.
Emily Myrtle Manson
That photo was my good friend ELlen poulton and children her mother Mrs Bell from hokatika the children were Anita Tony Brian Christopher not showing is Debbie...had lots of nice times with that family
Raelene Beth Wendi Wilson
Aaaw the worry on the mother's faces
Catherine Carey
Photo of my mum sister n her children they lived at inangahua junction in railway houses at time of earthquake
Ed Dando
No health and safety back then . Who cares ?we went to greymouth high same day . Big old brick buildings
Ed Dando
That was a big bastard ?
Gary Leech
I remember it well living in our Dunollie home.
The sound of chimney bricks sliding down the iron roofing before the chimney succumbed completely.
I remember still going to Greymouth to work in the courthouse.
Colin Skates
As an 18 yr old apprentice carpenter our company was employed by State advances repairing State houses in Cobden, mainly replacing collapsed brick chimneys and roof framing and cladding where chimneys had collapsed on them. By memory there was a priority system for repairs with most vulnerable done first. Used to come home black as from the soot. It was amazing how stoic the people were, with the upheaval to their lives. A time when everyone pulled together, but also recall that there was some bribery to jump the queue, especially with the builders that came from over the hill accepting backhanders from some to get their repairs done first.
Elizabeth Mehrtens
Living in Reefton at the vacant houses soon began to be lived on again as families moved into town and yes the slip in the upper Buller gorge was a grave concern so have an old paper hear in my house published by the news would love to pass it on to the right person to care for or put it in a museum some where
Susan Hajek
I was 4 years old then,but still remember our home stead with a bulder through the middle of the house.
Catherine Carey
Photo of my mum sister n her children they lived at inangahua junction in railway houses at time of earthquake
Margaret Mulloy
Judy Tawhiti same here Judy my niece was born that day In grey
Pauline Radich
It’s a long time ago, but I remember it well x
Geoffrey Bell
I ended back there with them that night. Two of us technicians were out checking the Grey Valley Telephone Exchanges for damage that morning when we were instructed to go to Inangahua Junction, as communication was lost with the area. We were flown in from The Landing by an Iroquois helicopter. The Exchange was wrecked so we joined the Civil Defence people and helped to evacuate the area, as the Buller River was dammed by a slip which could have let go at any time. We walked out a certain distance bringing woman and children and were picked up by a land-rover and ferried to the NZ Forestry Headquarters. Used by the Civil Defence.
Linda Gascoigne
Oh yum biscuits let's stuff those down. ?
Elizabeth Mehrtens
Living in Reefton at the vacant houses soon began to be lived on again as families moved into town and yes the slip in the upper Buller gorge was a grave concern so have an old paper hear in my house published by the news would love to pass it on to the right person to care for or put it in a museum some where
Marilyn Paterson
I’m pretty sure that’s Flo Bell from Hokitika in the middle.
Dulcie Bell?
Kevin Bell
My Mum sister and nephews and nieces before coming down to Hokitika.?
John White
Oh good for you Geoff on both counts. Who was the Blackball girl? My experience is that you’re a lucky man to get a West Coast girl (double points if they are from Grey Valley).
Cheers
Emily Myrtle Manson
That photo was my good friend ELlen poulton and children her mother Mrs Bell from hokatika the children were Anita Tony Brian Christopher not showing is Debbie...had lots of nice times with that family
Heather Reid
I lived in Chch an all platesetc fell on floor didn't no what was happening as lived on own I was so scared
Shona McLaren
I watched the ground on one of the paddocks open up then close again with that big aftershock later in the morning. I crapped myself and wouldn't go in that paddock for ages.
Wendy Jarman
My poppy Noel Southon
See translation
Jude Wastney
We lived in Granity and I was 16. I was nearly killed by the only free standing wardrobe in our 6 bdrm house. People in Granity helped each other out, ensured everyone was safe. We had about 40 people having cuppa's at our house.
Margaret Mulloy
Judy Tawhiti same here Judy my niece was born that day In grey
Edited
John White
Oh good for you Geoff on both counts. Who was the Blackball girl? My experience is that you’re a lucky man to get a West Coast girl (double points if they are from Grey Valley).
Cheers
Linda Ellis
We lived on Hattie St, Reefton. I was 5yo and can remember the fridge falling over and the many jars of blackberry jelly shooting out the kitchen cupboards. Chimney fell through into the bedroom and watertank collapsed. Luckily there was another railway house we moved into.
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West Coast New Zealand History (8th Dec 2025). Evacuated families at Reefton civil defence headquarters - Inangahua Earthquake.1968.. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 4th Apr 2026 10:25, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/31202