Flooding and landslips following heavy rainfall in Napier displaced dozens of families from their homes. Photo / File
Flooding and landslips following heavy rainfall in Napier displaced dozens of families from their homes. Photo / File
Money for flood victims has begun flowing from the Napier City Mayoral Relief Flood Response Fund, which has been boosted by $100,000 from the regional council and $15,000 from the public.
A Napier City Council spokeswoman said that there had been more than 60 applications "ranging in requests for amountsfrom $100 to approximately $16,000.
"The total requested so far is $169,960. The majority of applications have been for clothing, white ware, vehicles and beds/bedding including baby furniture.
"$58,018 has been approved to date and we expect to have the first of these payments go out early next week.
Hawke's Bay Regional councillors this week agreed to match the $100,000 put forward by central government to assist with Napier flood relief.
From driving through flood waters to check on vulnerable residents, to taking in families whose homes were still uninhabitable, the floods were personal for several of the councillors and all agreed it was important to help.
Chairman Rex Graham said it was a serious disaster for Napier and for all.
"It's really serious when we have a housing crisis and another 100 people are out of their homes."
Hawke's Bay Regional Council chair Rex Graham said it was a serious event which had added to pressure on local housing supply. Photo / File
Councillor Hinewai Ormsby agreed, adding the funding was one small way for council to help those affected.
The funding will come from Regional Disaster Damage Reserve, which has of June 30 this year still contained $2.13 million for the cost of managing the response and the recovery to a disaster event.
It can be used specifically for supporting people for essential items for daily life that are not covered by insurance or other agency funding.
Councillor Neil Kirton praised Napier mayor Kirsten Wise and council staff for their response.
"I think the response was rapid and adequate for the chaos which occurred in the community.
"This was a very significant event."
Councillor Neil Kirton warned there would likely be further events and called for a review of the response. Photo / File
However, he warned it was the reality of putting houses in a depression below sea level and there would likely be similar events in the future.
"The situation can only get worse."
Kirton said there were "lessons to be learned" from events of this nature and called for a review, with particular regards to infrastructure capabilities.
Chief executive James Palmer agreed and said a report could be expected in early June next year.
The decision was unanimously supported by all councillors.
"We are very appreciative of the donation from HBRC which will enable us to provide the much needed support to those in our community who require financial assistance, said Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise.
