10 May 2018

A Mayoral Manaakitanga Relief Fund is being established to provide financial support to Rotorua residents who have been affected by the 29 April weather event.

Rotorua Mayor, Steve Chadwick, says the fund will help people, who have been affected, cover costs not covered by insurance or by other agencies or not able to be covered.

“We had an informal fund which has been receiving donations but in order to attract contributions from the likes of central government and philanthropic organisations we need a proper process and criteria so I’m pleased we now have that,” the Mayor says.

“That’s also important for members of the public who want to be assured that their contributions will go where they are most needed.”

A paper recommending terms of reference and assessment committee membership was approved by Council’s Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee today [Thursday 10 May]. The recommendation needs to go to the Full Council on 31 May for final approval.

In the meantime, people wanting to koha (donate) money to those who have been affected can do so via the holding bank account, which has been set up in preparation for the official establishment of a Mayoral fund.

Details for donations

Account name: Mayoral Manaakitanga Relief Fund

Account number: 02-0412-0234516-006
How: Direct Credit or in person at Rotorua Lakes Council building
Details: No specific statement details are needed

The fund will provide grants for affected residents in the form of a one-off hardship grant, with priority given to situations where:

• There are extra financial burden or costs due to flooding;

• There is a family or personal crisis;

• Costs are not covered by insurance or other funds such as Work and Income New Zealand.

Eligibility criteria has also been established and it is recommended the assessment committee consist of four elected members (Mayor Steve Chadwick, a councillor, Te Tatau o Te Arawa representative and two community board representatives) to administer the fund.

Rotorua’s Mayoral Manaakitanga Relief Fund has been developed by Council staff based on similar funds and processes that have been set up in New Zealand.

The fund will enable a leverage mechanism by which Rotorua Lakes Council funding can be matched by central government contributions. In other similar circumstances central government has provided financial support of between $10,000 and $100,000.

Public donations to the interim account have reached more than $2,500 to date.

Mayor Chadwick says the ongoing burden on some of those who have been affected is also why it remains critical anyone who was affected registers with Council.

“Even if you have insurance and don’t feel you need help right now, we need to know what your situation is now and can then track any needs that may arise further down the track,” Mayor Chadwick says.

If you or someone you know has been impacted in any way please let Council know by calling free on: 0800 020 001.

A Local State of Emergency was declared 29 April after the Ngongotahā Stream breached its banks and caused flooding in Ngongotahā.

Across the district there was surface and property flooding, sewage backflows, damage to road surfaces, slips and underslips.

Watch the full LIVE STREAM video on Facebook here.

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