Support
This page outlines support that is available to those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. This includes links and contact information for key agencies.
Mayoral Relief Fund
Applications have now closed.
Please note: The mayoral relief fund has new revised criteria which now allows individuals to claim up to $10,000, with community groups, farmers, businesses (including sole entrepreneurs), and Marae now able to apply for an increased grant of up to $30,000.
Tararua residents still facing hardship should get their applications submitted before March 29th 2024. At that point, the Mayoral Relief Fund Panel will review all applications, and decisions on funding will be made.
Those who have previously submitted to the fund and have been successful, are able to submit another application for the increased grant amounts.
Mayoral Flood Relief Fund applications are now open to Tararua District residents, ratepayers or small business owners (including self-employed people and sole-traders), and not-for-profit organisations who have suffered financial hardship because of damages caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Tararua District Council would like to thank all the people, organisations and businesses who have reached out with very generous offers of support.
The Mayoral Relief Fund is still open for donations:
Tararua District Council,
03-0614-0088406-01.
Reference code: Flood Relief.
Donations can also be made at Council customer service centres and libraries.
Who is the Mayoral Relief Fund for?
The Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund is open to Tararua District residents, ratepayers or small business owners (including self-employed people and sole-traders), and not-for-profit organisations who have suffered financial hardship because of damages caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.
What is the Mayoral Relief Fund?
The Mayoral Relief Fund may be used to support and meet the needs of affected individuals, families, community organisations, small businesses and marae. The fund provides one off assistance for extraordinary circumstances, where a real need can be shown.
What can the Mayoral Relief Fund be used for?
Examples of financial support from the Mayoral Relief Fund include:
- As a priority:
- supporting the wellbeing of individuals/families faced with hardships as a result of Cyclone Gabrielle
- Assisting people with basic needs, household goods and personal items where the individual/family is uninsured or underinsured
- Essential items/essentials of daily life (e.g; food, accommodation, utilities)
- Filling water tanks
- Dealing with septic tank overflow
- Cleaning debris from properties where people are uninsured or underinsured
- Assisting small businesses impacted by the emergency
- Replacement of articles that cannot be insured by people – for example, fences, footpaths, etc.
- Assisting with insurance excess payments
- Extra financial burden/costs not covered by insurance or other funds
The amount granted will depend on the circumstances of the applicant. To ensure the funds are not depleted immediately and to enable fair and consistent amounts get to a large number of people, the maximum amounts are:
- $10,000 for individuals
- $30,000 for community Groups, farmers, businesses including sole-entrepreneurs, and marae.
Am I eligible for this fund?
Those who have previously submitted to the fund and have been successful, are able to submit another application for the increased grant amounts.
- If you are/were a resident (owner/occupier or occupier) or ratepayer of Tararua and impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle.
- If you are an individual, businesses, community group, family, organisation or marae.
- If you are experiencing hardship (financial or emotional) as a result of Cyclone Gabrielle at the time of your application.
- For family or personal crisis support which is not covered by any other source e.g. insurance, or by another agency or fund. Note:
- You may still be eligible if alternative funding assistance has not substantially reduced the financial loss or hardship suffered. For example: although fund payments are not designed to be made as duplication of insurance pay-outs, it could be that people may request funding in order to cover the insurance excess.
- Council expects a high number of applications to the Mayoral Relief Fund. As such, the Panel aims to review each application within five working days.
- Approved applications will receive payment within five working days.
How do I apply?
You can apply for funding through the online form or drop into any local Council office to help you complete an application form.
How will I know if I will receive a grant?
These applications will be assessed at the end of March.
If your grant request is approved, we’ll contact you and provide an indication of when the money will be paid out.
How will I be paid?
Any application must be accompanied by a NZ registered bank account number which the payments can be made to.
Key Contacts:
For a substantial list of organisations and services available in the Tararua District, you can download the Tararua District Recovery Brochure below:
Other Support
Tax Relief
Tax relief may be available if you or your company or trust has been affected by the cyclone. More information can be found here at: Tax relief for emergency events (ird.govt.nz)
Welfare support is available
If you have been affected by the cyclone and need support, please contact us on 06 374 4080 or 06 376 0110 and let us know how we can help. If your query is urgent and occurs outside business hours. Please get in touch by calling. Our customer services teams will be available 24/7.
06 374 4080 (North) or 06 376 0110 (South)
Email: info@tararuadc.govt.nz
Boost your wellbeing
It's normal to have ups and downs or feel knocked off balance sometimes. But it doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Free (early-intervention) support is available to help you get back on track.
Home | Find wellbeing support | Te Whatu Ora – Health NZ
Mental Health Support
1737 is New Zealand’s national mental health & addictions helpline number. Free call or text 1737 any time to talk with a trained counsellor. It’s completely free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Rural Support Trust is also available on 0800 787 254.
Temporary Accommodation Services (TAS)
TAS supports affected households to find temporary accommodation while their home is being repaired, rebuilt or they are unable to return to access their home. The application form for this service can be found at: Temporary Accommodation Service » Temporary Accommodation (mbie.govt.nz)
New Zealand Claims Resolution Service
The New Zealand Claims Resolution Service (NZCRS) will provide free expert support to homeowners with insurance claims after natural disasters. If you are having difficulty resolving your insurance or EQC claim following a natural disaster, the New Zealand Claims Resolution Service may be able to help, go to: https://www.nzcrs.govt.nz/
Tenancy information
If you are the tenant or landlord of a rental property, you can find information on your rights and obligations at www.tenancy.govt.nz or by phoning 0800 TENANCY (0800 836 262)
Charities
A crisis can be a difficult time to be on a committee or board of a charity. You can find a few tips in Governance in a crisis adapted from JB Were’s guidance at: Governance-in-a-crisis-for-small-charities-.pdf
If your charity was affected by the cyclone or flooding and you need an extension or support with filing your annual return, please get in touch with info@charities.govt.nz.
Further details can be found on the Charities Service Ngā Ratonga Kaupapa Atawhai website at: www.charities.govt.nz