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Tararua deputy mayor Erana Peeti-Webber, right, says the funding will help build resilience in rural communities.
The Tararua district has secured $250,000 through the Ministry for Primary Industries to increase support for communities likely to be cut-off during extreme weather events.
The funding is part of a $35.4 million package announced in Budget 2023 to support the recovery of rural communities affected by the North Island weather events, including Cyclone Gabrielle.
Tararua has already secured $1 million from the fund for urgent maintenance and resilience works on affected farms.
The aim of the latest funding is to ensure rural community hubs are well resourced with emergency equipment like generators, communication tools and first aid supplies to support communities if they become isolated again.
Deputy Tararua mayor Erana Peeti-Webber believed the funding would help build critical resilience in rural communities.
“This funding, alongside our experiences from the cyclone, has given us scope to work alongside our communities and really assess their needs.
“It’s an opportunity to ensure our rural communities have vital resources, and support at hand, when it is needed.”
Recovery manager Don Cameron said: “Cyclone Gabrielle highlighted the challenges these communities face when services are interrupted.
“A number of communities in Tararua faced long periods of isolation as a result of impassable roads. This fund will support establishing community response groups, assessing their needs, and ensuring they are well-equipped for any future events.”
Sarah Fountaine has been employed in the role of community hub co-ordinator.
Alongside Tararua District Council’s emergency management officer Peter Sinclair, she will work with the eight identified communities and start to develop a plan for each.
