Community Spirit Thrives on Remote New Zealand Island

When Stewart Island – a remote island off the far southern tip of New Zealand’s South Island – was left without electricity during an unseasonal snow storm, local store owners Jill Skerrett and Richard Wilson came to the rescue.

The pair, who own the island’s 4 Square Supermarket, took it upon themselves to make sure that elderly and isolated residents made it through the blackout during a cold and snowy snap.

Reporter Collette Devlin of The Southland Times reports how the island was blacked out when a car crashed into a power pole.

“We were prepared for the cold and the snow but not for no power,” Ms Skerrett said.

“We couldn’t imagine how the older members of the community would get through it.”

Stewart Island homes still require pressure pumps to access water and without electricity most homes were cut off from the supply, which worried the shop owners.

“We phoned older residents to see if they needed food or water or help, or if they needed to be brought into town to see the nurse. Thankfully no one was in a desperate situation,” she said.

One of the grateful residents they phoned was Nancy Schofield, 83, who lives alone at the deadend of a road.

“They phoned to see if I needed any food but my neighbours had looked after me. I really appreciate that they phoned me, it is good to see that people still care,” she said.

Stewart Island Senior Constable Dale Jenkins described how the pair went even further to support the community during the black out.

Mr Wilson and Ms Skerrett knew that the community relied upon their shop, so they kept it open without power, staying until the salmon farmers returned.

“[They] rely on us for their meals and next day lunches. We made them hot soup and pies using gas,” said Ms Skerrett.

“Their generosity extended beyond the community, when the engineers arrived to repair the lines. They supplied them with hot soup and lunch,” said Constable Jenkins.