‘Adopt A Community’ boost to mayoral relief fund

The Cyclone Gabrielle Mayoral Relief Fund established by Kahika (Mayor) Moko Tepania has been given a major boost thanks to an ‘Adopt a Community’ initiative being taken up by mayors of four New Zealand councils – each pledging to fundraise in their communities for those affected by the cyclone in the Far North.

The nationwide initiative, recently launched by Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), connects councils impacted by the cyclone with those unaffected by the major weather event. The aim is to encourage community to community support and to drive donations straight to the adopted community’s Mayoral Relief Fund.

Kahika Tepania says he is humbled that the Far North District Council has been matched with four councils under the scheme. They are Waitaki, Tasman, and Clutha District Councils, all in the South Island; and Waipā District Council in the Waikatō. The scheme has been enthusiastically embraced by the mayors of these councils.

“We as a district are extremely grateful to receive support from other councils during the recovery phase, there are many people that will benefit from this initiative. A huge mihi to Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher, Tasman Mayor Tim King, Waipā Mayor Susan O’Regan, Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan and their communities for putting their hands up to help us – community to community. E mihi nui ana”

Donations paid into the Cyclone Gabrielle Mayoral relief fund will be distributed to communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle through an application process. 

Those wanting to contribute to the Cyclone Gabrielle Mayoral relief fund can make donations to ASB account 12 3244 0022509 04, using the reference ‘MRF’ and ‘Gabrielle’.

You can read more about the Mayoral relief fund on our website.