Donations and ways to help

Published on 17 February 2023

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Aotearoa has really turned up for each other over these last few weeks. Ka mau te wehi [how awesome]!
 
Regions that have been affected by Cyclone Gabrielle have been inundated with your generous donations and offers of help, and we are keen to make sure your donations can make the biggest difference possible. Here are the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office tips for directing your help to where it is needed the most.
  • Please don't try to send food, blankets or other donated goods. In the vast majority of cases, donated goods with the absolute best intentions end up more of a hindrance than a help. Roads are impassable in many areas and more importantly, teams on the ground just don’t have the facilities, time or people to sort through donations. This is always a big problem in emergencies.

  • If you have the means, financial donations are the most useful thing. More information on how you can donate will be provided soon.

  • Please be cautious of random individuals asking for money and givealittle pages. Financial support will be set up through various mayoral relief funds. These tend to be a safe and trustworthy way to help alongside other reputable charities.

  • If you don’t have the means to donate but still want to help, you can.

    Larger organisations such as the Red Cross, Student Volunteer Army etc. will be organising clean-up support and other measures once we have a clearer idea of what is going on. If this sounds like you, get in touch with the relevant groups to see how you can help.

  • If you are hearing calls for specific items in an affected area and are close by (for example a local marae is asking the community for donations of bedding) and are able to make that specific donation right away, that's all good, go ahead.

  • Remember, the impacted areas are in a national state of emergency which means full support from the National Emergency Management Agency and all of Government are getting behind the affected regions.

  • The focus now is on immediate basics such as food and shelter for affected communities. Rest assured, those who have been hard hit will be looked after with those lifesaving essentials. So, consider holding off your donation for now as money will still be needed later on for smaller, local projects!
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