What the fund can support
The Mayoral Relief Fund Panel may distribute funds at its discretion for:
- Supporting specific needs of individuals and whānau/family directly affected by a disaster event.
- This may include:
- Basic household needs and essential personal items (where uninsured or underinsured).
- Clearing debris from properties.
- Replacement of essential uninsured or underinsured items.
- Providing financial and/or advisory support to locally impacted small businesses.
- Supporting any marae, community organisations, and volunteer groups involved in disaster response or recovery efforts.
The Fund provides one-off assistance in extraordinary circumstances where genuine financial need can be demonstrated.
What the fund cannot be used for
To ensure the Fund is used responsibly and fairly, it will not support:
- Damage or losses covered by insurance, the Natural Hazards Commission (formally EQC Earthquake Commission), or other funding streams.
- General maintenance or unrelated repairs not caused by the disaster.
- Long-term, large-scale building or infrastructure costs.
- Costs ordinarily met by local or central government welfare or infrastructure programmes.
The Fund is intended as a last resort, once other support options, such as Work and Income New Zealand, the Natural Hazards Commission, or other government agencies have been explored.
How to apply
Residents, ratepayers, business owners and community organisations, volunteer groups and marae affected by the recent severe weather events can apply in the following ways:
Pick up a form from:
Completed applications can be submitted:
- By email: info@odc.govt.nz
- In person: Ōpōtiki District Council offices
- By post:
Attention: Mayoral Relief Fund
Ōpōtiki District Council
PO
Box 44
Ōpōtiki
Applications will be assessed through a needs-based process to ensure support is provided as quickly as possible.
