Local councils 'adopt' cyclone-hit communities to help

Feb 24, 2023

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has this week launched Adopt a Community, a campaign that matches a council unaffected by Cyclone Gabrielle with a council and community badly hit.

LGNZ National Council member and Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan on Facebook today.

Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago residents able to support the relief effort following Cyclone Gabrielle can now donate directly to one of the worst hit areas.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and Central Otago District Council (CODC) have been matched with the Central Hawke's Bay community.

LGNZ National Council member and Central Otago District mayor Tim Cadogan says the campaign’s aim is to raise as much money as possible for the adopted communities.

“Mayors will be driving the initiative and encouraging donations to their adopted community’s mayoral relief fund,” Mayor Cadogan says.

“We’ve all been watching the devastating scenes in the news and really wanting to help in a meaningful way.

“Local councils play a leading role in the immediate emergency efforts and colleagues from other parts of the North Island and the South Island just want to lend a helping hand in a positive and tangible way.

“That’s why we’ve come up with this concept as a practical way for mayors from other parts of the country to channel their energy. It creates a direct connection with one of the badly affected communities."

QLDC chief executive Mike Theelen says Adopt a Community is a way to connect councils with some of the most devastated regions.

“Like many affected areas Central Hawke's Bay District Council has set up a Mayoral Relief Fund. Being matched in this way provides an additional opportunity for our community to support another in their time of greatest need,” he says.

“It’s not difficult to think of a time when the boot might be on the other foot and we’d be reliant on other parts of the country helping us, so I would encourage anyone who has the means to consider making a donation in this way.

“Adopt a Community gives councils like ours a direct meaningful connection with a badly affected community. In addition to this initial boost we’ll be looking at how we can offer Central Hawke's Bay medium and long-term support too. It will take many months for a disaster of this scale to be resolved at a practical level, let alone the years it will take for people to come to terms with its effects.

“Your generosity will be hugely appreciated."

Donations to the Central Hawke's Bay Mayoral Relief Fund is the preferred method via the Adopt a Community bank account - 01-0777-0038665-00 - with the reference ‘Relief’.

Alternatively, donations can also be made to Hawke’s Bay Disaster Relief Trust bank account: 02-0700-0010824-002