A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.
A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.
The Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust fund is open for applications more than a year after over $10 million was raised through a special Lotto draw and appeal.
The trust was set up to support the medium- to long-term needs of communities, iwi and hapū as they recover from Cyclone Gabrielle.
It has $14m for project grants made up of all the donations to the appeal, including the special Lotto draw and all interest earned on that money to date, according to a statement from the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).
It is open for applications from communities, iwi, hapū and marae in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, the Bay of Plenty, East Coast and Hawke’s Bay regions and the Tararua district.
“One of the lessons learned from the devastating 2011 Christchurch earthquakes is that it takes some time for longer-term needs to become clear. This fund was set up to help ensure those needs are supported,” trustee Barbara Arnott said.
“We have been told there are many small-scale projects that communities, iwi, hapū and marae want and they can quickly complete. We want to fund these.”
Projects seeking funds must be located in an impacted region or district, be community, iwi, hapū and/or marae led and be ready to action as soon as funding is received. Proof that the project has been completed must also be provided.
Applications close on May 29 and can be made by contacting info@cycloneappeal.govt.nz
