Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund
The Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund has now closed and the majority of payments have been made.
The fund was set up for residents, ratepayers, small business owners or not-for-profit organisations who have suffered financial hardship because of damages caused by Cyclone Gabrielle. A total of $903,000 was received in contributions to the fund. The fund had paid out $437,000 to 203 applicants.
A panel consisting of two Council elected members – Mayor Len Salt and Mercury Bay Councillor Rekha Giri-Percival – and one independent community representative – Nikky Fisher from Hauraki Collective – has reviewed and made a determination on all 207 applications. Additional information and verification are being sought from the few remaining applicants.
Where decisions require further information, the process may take longer. We’re asking applicants to be patient while we follow up on requests for more information. Unsuccessful applicants will also be contacted as soon as practicable.
The Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund was designed to support the needs of affected individuals, families, community organisations, small businesses and marae. In total, the fund had 207 applications; 16 from community organisations; 127 from small business; 64 from individuals/families.
Successful applicants received a grant of either $1,000 or $2,500 depending on their individual circumstances. To receive a grant, applicants had to demonstrate that they needed financial assistance with the following criteria:
- Cleaning debris from properties where people are uninsured or underinsured
- Supporting individuals/families faced with hardships as a result of the emergency
- Assisting small businesses impacted by the emergency
- Assisting people with basic needs, household goods and personal items where the individual/family is uninsured or underinsured
- Assisting with insurance excess payments.
After Easter, further consideration will be given on how the remaining funds can best be used to support those in the community most affected from the after effects of the cyclone.
Rates relief in stormy times
Our Council is doing all it can to help property-owners whose homes have been badly damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle. Properties that have been deemed uninhabitable (red stickered) are being granted a rates remission. Usually, we ask homeowners to apply for this. But in the case of this cyclone, we are automatically granting a rates remission during the period people’s properties are officially marked as uninhabitable.