The Government has announced it will contribute $175,000 towards a Mayoral Relief Fund to support communities affected by recent severe weather in Tairāwhiti.
Minister for Emergency Management, Kiri Allan said the community had dealt with five other significant weather events – for which Mayoral Relief Funds had not been sought – in the past year, on top of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The latest downpour has been really tough on the region, with numerous evacuations and some outer rural communities cut off. The community needs swift support to help get back on its feet after this latest setback,” she said.
“While we know there’s been considerable damage, it will take some days to understand the full impact of the storm.”
Mayoral Relief Funds help communities bounce back after an emergency. The funds are in addition to other support that people may be eligible for through the Ministry of Social Development and Ministry for Primary Industries.
“As always, it’s absolutely incredible to see how people on the East Coast have responded and pulled together to help each other,” Minister Allan said.
“We’ve got more work to do, but I want to thank everyone involved – from the community leaders, marae, emergency services, local CDEM and council through to the numerous agencies and those on the ground – for their incredible mahi in response to this emergency.”
Ms Allan said Waka Kotahi and its roading contractors were working tirelessly to clean up debris across the state highway network and safely restore lifelines in and out of the region.
“And I know the Ministry for Primary Industries is also working really closely with groups on the ground and has its welfare emergency management team deployed to the region as additional on the ground support,” she said.
