$1.17m, and more to come: Housing and relief packages benefit from disaster fund

FUNDS RECEIVED: Damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in Te Karaka. Gisborne and Wairoa have received $1.17 million of the $22m New Zealand Disaster Fund and are expected to receive more funds. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

Gisborne and Wairoa have received just $1.17 million of the $22m New Zealand Disaster Fund being managed by the Red Cross but with $18m still unspent, the charity says more is on the way.

“Close to $1.5m of the $3.98m spent via the New Zealand Disaster Fund has gone into the Tairāwhiti and Wairoa areas,” New Zealand Red Cross emergency management and international general manager Sean Stewart said.

“We expect this figure to grow over the coming weeks and we continue to receive applications from both Tairāwhiti and Wairoa.

“The majority of this figure ($1.17m) has gone to Wairoa, through the Wairoa Liveable Homes Fund and equipment support for their Civil Defence Centre.”

That grant was awarded at the end of March and was to the Wairoa District Council-led Liveable Homes Fund which will help individuals and whānau living in yellow-stickered homes to restore their homes to a safe and liveable standard.

“$318,391 has been distributed to Tairāwhiti via two initiatives — Whare Āwhina and the Tairāwhiti Multicultural Council. We expect both of these figures to grow as applications are reviewed, processed and grants distributed.”

Toitu Tairāwhiti Builtsmart Limited’s Whare Āwhina is aiming to build 50 temporary housing units, with power connected and furnishings, for whānau to live comfortably until they are able to rebuild their homes.

The Red Cross is working with them to provide household goods bundles for 26 of the most vulnerable households.

“The Whare Awhina pilot is an investment in Tairāwhiti. We are monitoring the roll-out of this initiative in Te Karaka and if successful, will look to scale it further into other areas.

“We are actively working with Gisborne District Council on ways to support them and their Mayoral Fund to assist more people in Tairāwhiti.

“On Thursday, we had a meeting with representatives from Ngāti Porou to learn more about their needs.”

Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz confirmed Red Cross had offered assistance to the region.

“Red Cross secretary-general Sarah Stuart-Black met with myself and our Civil Defence team to offer Red Cross support and assistance to our community.

“She assured us that they are open to lean in where our region needs help. She also met with some affected communities and offered assistance.”

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said the region was grateful for the assistance.

“Wairoa’s dealings with the Red Cross have been professional and the organisation did a thorough investigation into the needs of the community in the wake of Cyclone Bola. Wairoa has received significant support from the Red Cross to assist with post-cyclone recovery and our community is grateful for this assistance.”

NZ Disaster Fund spend for Gisborne and Wairoa:

Tairāwhiti Multicultural Council: $37,000. Lead charity for migrants and ethnic communities in Gisborne. Supporting the 110 families who require immediate and continued support with food parcels and other basic needs.

Wairoa District Council: $211,618.50. CDC and community hub equipment support.

Wairoa Liveable Homes Fund: $1,108,900. Getting people back in their homes.

Whare Awhina: $281,391. Household packs for red and yellow stickered homes in Te Karaka.

Spend to-date: $3.98 million

Total donations: $22 million