The Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust has allocated over $14 million to support 558 community projects across regions affected by the cyclone and flooding in early 2023.

In total, 1370 requests amounting to more than $50 million were submitted to the Trust.

The funded projects will benefit communities, iwi, hapū, and marae in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Hawke's Bay, and the Tararua district, all of which declared states of emergency during the disaster.

“These grants will support those directly impacted to recover in a way unique to their community, and to be better prepared for future disasters,” said trust chair Sir Selwyn Parata.

The Trustees identified a significant need for funding smaller projects and initiatives aimed at recovery and disaster preparedness.

“Smaller projects, such as repairing children’s playgrounds and other places where communities come together, are often hard to fund through the usual community funding sources,” Parata noted.

“We also wanted to empower communities to prepare for future disasters. Funding supplies like satellite phones, solar power systems, and containers for storing supplies help communities feel safer.”

The Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust was established in February 2023 to address the medium to long-term needs of the affected areas.

For more information on the projects receiving funding, visit cycloneappeal.org.nz