More than 50 flood stricken whānau in Whanganui have been given assistance by a Māori health organisation and three iwi since an emergency flood relief fund was set up a week ago.
The flooded kura kaupapa in Whanganui Photo: SUPPLIED / Facebook
Three iwi groups, Ngā Rauru kii Tahi, Whanganui and Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa, established the Putea Aroha Relief Fund for iwi members who were severely affected by the biggest flood to inundate the rohe in recorded history.
The fund is being administered by Te Oranganui Iwi Health Authority in Whanganui and its chief executive, Nancy Tuaine, said it was giving whānau money and relocation assistance based on how seriously they've been affected.
"As they progressively understand what their positions are and what their needs are we've still got people coming through. So as of today we have assisted 51 whānau," Ms Tuaine said.
"As part of the recovery effort, the Ministry of Social Development, Inland Revenue, Housing New Zealand, Te Puni Kōkiri and Te Oranganui have set up a space on the ground floor of the MSD building."
She said they have all joined together to provide services from one place.
Nancy Tuaine said her organisation no longer needed items such as clothing or food, but what it did need was donations of whiteware.
She said Te Oranganui had a $60,000 fund which three iwi and other people have donated towards and already about $21,000 of that had been used to help whānau.
