A total of $68,300 in grants from the Wairarapa Mayoral Relief Fund have now been given to seven applicants, with those in need being urged to apply if they need financial help.
Money from the Mayoral Relief Fund has gone to affected families – a total of 14 adults and 14 children – with the majority of applicants in the badly affected areas around Tinui in Masterton District and one in South Wairarapa.
The money will be used for assistance such as clean-up of flood damage, clearing private road access, silt clean-up, digger repairs, pump replacement, repairs to damaged electric fencing, and loss of income support.
A total of $215,000 is available from the Mayoral Relief Fund, with a further $250,000 provided by the Government for business recovery grants.
The Wairarapa Recovery Governance Group deputy chair, Ron Mark, encouraged people to apply without hesitation if they needed help.
“Applications are coming in, and money is going out – fast. As it should do.”
He said the money had been donated by the community to be used by those who need it, not sit in a bank account.
“The governance group is committed to getting help to people as soon as it can.”
A spokesperson said a priority for support would be given to those needing money for essentials for daily life, transport needs, and household contents; recovery costs of buildings damaged by water or storm damage; and essential items not covered by insurance or other funds.
The fund is only available to those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle in February this year.
Additionally, businesses affected by the cyclone can also apply to the Business
Recovery Grants programme.
The funding is to address cyclone-impacted businesses’ immediate cash-flow needs, with a secondary objective of positioning businesses for a successful recovery.
Applications for both forms of financial support can be made through the Wairarapa Recovery website – www.wairaraparecovery.nz – with hard copy application forms available at council offices and libraries throughout Wairarapa.
