Donations boost storm relief funds for Thames-Coromandel and Hauraki residents

Paeroa’s flood gates were closed to protect from inundation on January 22. Photo / Christel Yardley, Waikato Times

Donations have helped out some of the Waikato’s most vulnerable residents following the storm that ripped through the region in January.

Thames-Coromandel District Council and Hauraki District Council have provided mayoral relief funds to their respective districts, with the amount across both reaching the hundreds of thousands.

In Thames-Coromandel, $400,000 was raised, with donations from the public, local businesses and the Government, a council statement said.

That includes a $100,000 contribution from the National Emergency Management Agency, with over 80% going directly towards road repairs.

The overall bill for repairs could reach the tens of millions, with most being allocated towards fixing roads, which took the brunt of the impact.

In the Hauraki, $245 in public donations and $14,000 from Woolworths has been spread among 21 households and 12 businesses.

That money helped with essential costs such as food, accommodation, utilities, debris removal and other expenses, a statement from Hauraki District Council said.

It is expected the district’s repair bill will be $5 million.

“The response from our community has been moving,” group manager community development and regulatory Peter Thorn said.

“People came forward who needed help. Others in our community donated to make sure the fund could go further, helping neighbours in need. The fund did what it was set up to do, and we’re glad we could be there for people during this difficult time.”

The funds provide a lifeline for those most affected from the storm. As of March 5, nine properties in the Thames-Coromandel remain red-stickered, with 44 yellow and 44 white.

“While the fund will go some way to help people impacted by the storm event, the road to recovery is long,” the council said.

“It will take time before our district can truly return to normal.”

– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.