Mangawhai woman Tina Johnson, who survived being pulled into the eye of a tornado earlier this year, is now channelling her recovery into supporting the emergency services who saved her life.

Johnson made headlines on 26 January 2025 when a tornado tore through Mangawhai in the early hours of the morning. As the twister ripped apart her two-storey home, she and the mattress she was lying on were sucked into the vortex before being thrown onto a nearby shed. She suffered serious injuries, including a badly broken wrist and significant damage to her leg, and was airlifted to Auckland Hospital for surgery.

More than six months on, Johnson has endured multiple operations, weeks in a wheelchair, and an ongoing recovery that includes physical therapy, scans, and regular medical appointments. She continues to face challenges from concussion symptoms, a back injury, and upcoming surgeries to repair knee ligaments. The emotional scars also remain, with high winds still triggering sleepless nights.

On 30 August, around 200 people are expected to fill the Mangawhai Club for a fundraising fashion parade in support of local emergency services. The event will feature local models, raffles, an auction, giveaways and food, with several Mangawhai businesses pitching in. Johnson, who previously managed the Mangawhai Club and organised numerous fundraisers, has put her skills back to work. For tickets to this event please buy them at The Mangawhai Club - https://www.facebook.com/Mangawhaiclub

She credits her community, friends and supporters with helping her through the toughest months – from housing her after her home was destroyed to rallying around her fundraising efforts.

A Givealittle page has also raised thousands towards her recovery and can be found here: givealittle.co.nz/cause/mangawhai-tornado-victim-needs-our-help

For Johnson, the fashion parade is more than just a fundraiser. It is her way of giving back to those who helped save her life and of finding purpose through her long recovery journey