Applications for Cyclone Gabrielle recovery grants are now open.
If your business is in a place where a local State of Emergency has been declared, and you have been affected by Cyclone Gabrielle or January flooding, you may be eligible for support to help you recover. The resources linked below may be of assistance for impacted businesses in the region:
Waikato Regional Cyclone and Flood Recovery for businesses
In direct response to the recent storm events Central Government has announced the creation of the Cyclone Gabrielle Business Recovery Grant.
The $1.42 million worth of Cyclone and Flood Recovery for Business Grants the Thames-Coromandel District Council is administering can now be applied for by owners of affected businesses across the entire Waikato region (more information on the other eligibility criteria at the link below).
This is much welcomed news: this funding will help businesses position themselves for a successful recovery. We will continue to advocate for further support for the businesses affected by the destructive weather events of this summer.
If your Waikato business has experienced significant disruption because of the January flooding or Cyclone Gabrielle, check the criteria for funding and apply below.
Applications close Friday 31 March and will be assessed by an independent advisory panel.
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria for the Cyclone Gabrielle Business Recovery Grant, other help could be available to you:
Following the floods in January 2023, a number of people have been displaced and homes damaged. If your property was impacted during this severe weather event and you need support finding temporary accommodation click here.
Recovery package for Māori Communities
The Government has launched a $15 million short-term relief package to support Māori communities devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle and help accelerate their recovery.
The package will support a range of efforts including staffing for marae to undertake response and recovery activities, purchase equipment needed for the clean-up, purchase of replacement equipment and storage for food and taonga and support planning and co-ordination efforts.
Further details on how funds will be distributed will be available on the Te Puni Kōkiri and Te Arawhiti website.
Farmer and grower recovery support
Farmers, growers, and whenua Māori owners significantly affected by Cyclone Gabrielle can get support to kick-start recovery efforts.
Funding is available for farmers and growers to undertake urgent repair work, including fencing, and clearing silt to save trees and vines. A total of $51 million is now available after the Government boosted funding by $26 million.
Recovery Visa
The Recovery Visa (a Specific Purpose Work Visa), will allow employers to sponsor migrants to come to New Zealand for a specific event or purpose, including working on an emergency response.
The initial visa will last up to 6 months. The $700 fee will be refunded for successful applicants.
The Recovery Visa couldn’t come at a better time for businesses working through how they will recover and rebuild from this month’s extreme weather. In the Waikato, this will be particularly helpful for the Coromandel, Port Waikato and Raglan communities.
Take care of your wellbeing
If you or your employees are feeling overwhelmed or anxious, there is free help available, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
visit First Steps for support for small business owners, ranging from dealing with anxiety to tackling insomnia.
call or text 1737 for support from a trained counsellor
call Lifeline on 0800 543 354 or text 4357
call Samaritans on 0800 726 666
