Mayoral Relief Fund to help those most in need

A Mayoral Relief Fund has been established to assist Whangarei District residents who have suffered hardship as a result of the July 2014 storm.

Earlier this week Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye visited Northland and pledged $100,000 of Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management funds to help meet the welfare needs of the region’s households affected by the storm.

Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai said that the bulk of the $100,000 allocation from Minister Kaye will go to the Far North where the immediate welfare needs are greater than ours.

“Whangarei’s $10,000 will be matched dollar for dollar by Council to boost the Fund’s reach, although that may still fall short of the amount the District needs.

Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai said that our communities are amazingly resilient and have coped very well so far.

“We have had teams out this week, assessing the welfare needs of those in the most affected areas and have found that most people are doing really well.”

“This fund is designed to provide a helping hand to people who are suffering real hardship,” she said.

People whose main place of residence is the Whangarei District will be able to apply to the Council for grants of up to $1000 to repair homes, replace damaged property or meet costs incurred as a result of the storm.

Priority will be given to people who have been unable to get financial help from other agencies, including Work and Income and insurance companies. In some situations grants above $1000 may be considered.

People struggling in the wake of last week’s storm can apply to the fund by contacting Council on 0800 932 463.

People wishing to make donations to the fund can do so at any BNZ branch, at Customer Services in Forum North or direct to the following bank account with the reference Mayoral Relief Fund: Whangarei District Council - BNZ 02-0492-00358315-000

More information is available at Council service centres or at www.wdc.govt.nz.

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