In the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle, 49 community groups in Tairāwhiti were supported with quick-turnaround grants to help their recovery efforts.
The Trust Tairāwhiti board met shortly after the cyclone and agreed to make $372,502
available for an immediate community relief fund.
The Department of Internal Affairs partnered with the Trust on the initiative, contributing $235,500, with a further $37,000 secured from The Gift Trust and the Clare Foundation.
“We saw groups throughout the region in town, and particularly the worst impacted areas on the East Coast and inland Turanga stand-up responses, and this fund was about recognising the volunteer contributions and efforts,” said Trust General Manager Communities, Audine Grace-Kutia.
“Together with our partner funders, we identified groups that were achieving outcomes for our community and were able to get the funds out promptly.”
A total of $645,002 was distributed over six weeks since the cyclone.