Tauranga City Council will determine the best option for a review into the Mauao tragedy. Photo / NZME
More than $200,000 has been pledged by donors from across New Zealand and overseas to the Western Bay Emergency Response Fund since its launch last week.
The fund is to channel support to local organisations, marae, and charities after the recent severe weather, which target="_self" rel="" title="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/faces-of-the-victims-grandmother-grandson-named-as-victims-of-welcome-bay-landslide/W4ATIDGFLRFYHMBSR7ZVHECLVQ/">claimed eight lives in Mount Maunganui and Pāpāmoa.
Western Bay Emergency Response Fund team leader Matty Nicholson said the fund had received contributions from donors in Australia, the UK, and the United States.
Nicholson said local businesses and organisations had also stepped forward, with Zespri committing $100,000 to the fund.
Michael Fox, Zespri’s head of grower and stakeholder relations, said the company’s donation was intended to support the “incredible charities” providing front-line assistance.
“It has been a really difficult time for our region and New Zealand as a whole.”
Nicholson said the Port of Tauranga also donated $30,000.
Port of Tauranga’s chief financial officer Simon Kebbell said they were providing practical help where possible, and the donation was to help the recovery of communities impacted by the flooding and slips.
“Recovery from the damage will take a long time, and we will continue to offer our support.”
Nicholson said fund partners would come together early next week to “finalise community insights and identify the greatest needs, with funds beginning to move out to communities shortly after”.
Tauranga Business Chamber chief executive Matt Cowley said the chamber had launched a business support webpage featuring a checklist of resources for affected businesses.
“We have been supporting Tauranga City Council’s business support team, based alongside Mount Mainstreet at the He Maimai Aroha Community Care Centre, to connect with a range of government agencies and other support offerings.”
These include the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), Work and Income, and Inland Revenue.
“We are working with government officials to assess whether further business support is needed after last week’s initial government package. We’ve also supported Mount Mainstreet’s new manager to connect with additional resources and support.”
Cowley said many businesses were eager to help Mount retailers, including marketing agencies offering to promote that Mount Maunganui was still “open for business and enjoyment”.
“While the chamber’s business support team isn’t on the frontlines with businesses yet, we are behind the scenes connecting the dots and advocating for appropriate support to help businesses through what may be a tough, long winter without Mauao, the hot pools, and the campsite being open to the public.”
Last week, Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council each launched a Mayoral Relief Fund to provide short-term financial assistance to households and small businesses “experiencing urgent, unmet needs” directly linked to last month’s severe storms.
Both councils received $100,000 from the central government’s $1.2 million storm recovery package, for the six councils across the country most affected by last month’s severe weather.
The remaining $600,000 was available through an application process.
Western Bay Mayor James Denyer said so far the council had received a “handful of applications” and some community donations.
“It is still very early days, and we expect both applications and donations to continue coming in over the next couple of weeks.”
He said no funding has yet been paid, but the council intended to distribute funds as quickly as possible.
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale said his council had received nine applications for relief to date.
“We encourage anyone in need of this support, and who fits the criteria, to submit an application.”
Meanwhile, the Insurance Council said it was not yet able to provide details of the number of insurance claims by people affected by the storms across Tauranga Moana and the Western Bay of Plenty district.
One of those who has lodged a claim is Greerton homeowner Philip Raath, whose retaining wall was damaged during the January 22 deluge.
A large section of his 16m by 17m wall was “washed away” after hours of continuous rain, with part of the wall collapsing on to the roof of the property below, damaging fascia boards.
He said on January 29, an insurance assessor took photos, measurements, and drone footage.
“I don’t know how long the insurance claim will take to process. It could take a day or a month – it’s a waiting game,” Raath said.
The NZ Claims Resolution Service is a free service that provides homeowners with independent advice, case management, as well as legal and technical services after a natural disaster damages their home.
If homeowners have concerns about their claim or are unsure about next steps, call 0508 624 327, email contact@nzcrs.govt.nz or visit www.nzcrs.govt.nz.
Sandra Conchie is a senior journalist at theBay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post who has been a journalist for 25 years. She mainly covers police, court and other justice stories, as well as general news. She has been a Canon Media Awards regional/community reporter of the year.