In the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, the Muriwai community was left reeling. Entire homes were red-stickered, lives were upended, and streets once full of laughter fell silent beneath slips and debris. The emotional weight of loss was heavy—for whānau, for neighbours, and for those called in to help.Heart Recruitment & Civil Ltd was engaged by the lead contractor to support Auckland Council’s flood recovery works, delivering targeted deconstruction services across affected properties. Our role wasn’t demolition—it was careful, respectful dismantling. We worked methodically to recover timber, joinery, bricks, and other usable materials before anything went to landfill.In a deeply meaningful partnership, we worked alongside renowned New Zealand artist Jeff Thomson, salvaging materials from homes that once stood proud in Muriwai. These became part of a monumental sculpture, honouring the resilience of the community and the whenua they call home.Some of the salvaged materials were also repurposed into tiny home builds, offering shelter, second chances, and a powerful symbol of how recovery is more than clean-up—it’s about restoring dignity, purpose, and place.Through this project, we demonstrated that deconstruction can serve both recovery and regeneration, reducing waste while preserving stories. It’s work we’re proud of—and a service we continue to refine for councils, insurance providers, and communities in need.