Thanks to Waitaki from friends in the Far North

Published on 08 August 2023

At the Local Government New Zealand conference held in Christchurch last week, Mayor Moko Tepania and Cr John Vujcich caught up with attending Waitaki District Councillors and Chief Executive Alex Parmley to present them with a certificate in recognition of the ‘generous contribution to the Cyclone Gabrielle Mayoral Relief Fund and support and care provided to our communities’.

“We are so grateful in the Far North for the significant contributions our Waitaki whānau have made to our Mayoral Relief Fund. It’s great to be able to thank the Waitaki District Council in person and pass on a small token of appreciation.” Mayor Tepania said.

Deputy Mayor Halalele receiving the certificate said, “It was a great privilege to receive the certificate and thanks from Mayor Moko on behalf of the residents of Waitaki. I am personally very proud of everyone’s efforts in our community to support our friends and the communities of the Far North District after the hardship they have suffered through the cyclone. It is great to know our collective efforts in Waitaki have been appreciated and have made a positive difference to people’s lives.”

When Cyclone Gabrielle struck the North Island earlier this year, causing significant damage to housing and infrastructure, Waitaki District Council was one of the first to join the LGNZ ‘Adopt a Community’ initiative which paired Waitaki with the Far North.

In the months that followed, Waitaki District Councillors and volunteers put on a Variety Show Fundraiser at the Ōamaru Opera House which saw elected members perform alongside local talent in an all singing, all dancing display of solidarity with those affected up north.

The event was boosted by donations from local businesses, community groups and families across the Waitaki District, which were used by residents from Northanjer and Southanjer rest homes to create accommodation, pamper and food packages to be raffled for the cause.

An online auction of paintings donated by local artist Ken Laraman, coordinated by Council and the Forrester Gallery drew bids totalling more than $2000.

Funds raised have gone towards assisting Far North District residents, community organisations and small businesses to recover from the impacts of the cyclone.

ENDS