Applications to the Whakatane District Mayoral Relief Fund are now open. Any Whakatāne District residents affected by flood or storm damage as a result of the April cyclones are eligible to apply to the fund for financial assistance.
Priority will be given to applications under the following criteria:
- Provision of essentials for daily life, transport needs and household contents
- Rebuild/recovery costs of buildings damaged by water or storm damage
- Essential items not covered by insurance or other funds
Application forms are available at:
- Te Tari Āwhina Community Hub (at the Edgecumbe Library)
- Libraries in Murupara and Whakatāne
- The Kawerau i-Site
- On this website »
The Mayoral Relief Fund has a current balance of just over $150,000, thanks to donations made directly to Whakatāne District Council and via a givealittle campaign, which remains open.
Mayor Tony Bonne says it’s likely that applications to the fund will exceed the amount available, and he emphasises that people should look at other funding sources in the first instance. A list of those funds is available with the Mayoral Relief Fund application forms, and via the link below:
Recovery support and funding assistance »
An Advisory Board will assess applications on a fortnightly basis and provide recommendations to the Mayoral Relief Fund Trustees to confirm approval and distribution of the funds on a fair and equitable basis.
Advisory Board members are:
- Chair of the Tāneatua Community Board, Diane Yalden
- Chair of the Rangitāiki Community Board, Charelle Stevenson
- Ngāti Awa Representative Tu O’Brien;
- Rural Representative Bruce Woods
- Recovery Team Representative Barbara Dempsey
Mayoral Relief Fund Trustees are:
- Mayor Tony Bonne
- Deputy Mayor Judy Turner
- Colin Leonard, the independent member of the Council’s Audit and Risk Committee