Storm relief fund open for Far North communities

Far North residents in Bay of Islands-Whangaroa who were affected by last month’s severe weather event can now apply for financial support through Te Tahua Toka Tū Moana – Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund.

The fund has been activated in response to the 21-22 January 2026 weather event, which caused widespread damage across coastal and rural communities in the Far North.

The fund can help individuals, families, marae, community organisations, and small businesses with funding support to cover:

• dealing with septic tank overflow
• filling water tanks
• clearing debris from properties
• assisting small businesses impacted by the emergency (where appropriate)
• replacement of items that cannot be insured (for example accessways)
• assisting people with essential needs such as clothing and bedding, etc, where the individual /whānau does not have the capacity to buy their own insurance cover.

This fund is designed as a ‘last option’ fund for people who have already exhausted available support, such as Civil Defence, the Ministry of Social Development, MBIE Temporary Accommodation Services, Work and Income, Ministry for Primary Industries, and private insurance.

Residents in the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa ward who experienced damage or hardship specifically from the 21-22 January weather event are encouraged to apply online through Te Tahua Toka Tū Moana – Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund webpage.

Residents who live in the Bay of Islands–Whangaroa ward who have previously applied to Whangārei District Council’s Emergency Recovery Fund need not reapply to Te Tahua Toka Tū Moana – Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund. WDC applications remain active and will be transferred to the Far North District Council recovery team for processing. This is simply an administrative change.

Applications close 5pm, Friday 6th March.  If you have questions, contact: recoverymanager@fndc.govt.nz