The Tauranga branch of Women's Refuge has run out of money and is shutting its doors in the middle of the organisation's nationwide appeal, while $350,000 from last year's collection sits in a bank account.
Manager Ingrid Dunston said: "The Tauranga Women's Refuge has undergone a temporary closure for three weeks only, due to lack of resources."
Women's Refuge runs 56 refuges. It receives $3.9 million of Government funding a year.
Former Tauranga chairwoman Tracey Jackson said the Tauranga branch was run from its safe house and employed four full-time staff and one part-timer.
"I think it's very sad that the refuge has to close down," she said.
"If people want to help domestic violence in Tauranga, they should donate directly to the local refuge rather than the national appeal."
Ms Jackson said that if the funds raised from last year's appeal were distributed among the country's refuges, each would receive $6250.
That would cover wages for the Tauranga branch's five staff members for three weeks.
However, the $350,000 raised from last year's national appeal had not been distributed.
The organisation's national chief executive, Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, said: "The funds from the annual appeal are earmarked for other things.
"While we do have some money, we have that for dire situations."
The Tauranga branch had not advised the national office of its temporary closure, she said. "I'm not surprised if they are under pressure. Every refuge, including Tauranga, is under stress. I feel it's a tragedy."
While funding was an issue for the Tauranga branch, there were other issues behind the temporary closure, said Ms Raukawa-Tait.
"Apparently they don't have enough people. People are getting tired and they need more advocates."
- NZPA
Lack of funds shuts refuge in appeal week
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