The widespread devastation and heartache caused by Cyclone Gabrielle has left the region of Hawke’s Bay, its communities and residents completely ravaged, some beyond repair.

To help support the region’s unprecedented relief effort, Hawke’s Bay Foundation set up a special ‘HB Cyclone Relief Fund’ to funnel donations direct to overwhelmed welfare agencies on the ground, that need it most.

For charitable organisations wishing to apply for funding through our Cyclone Relief Fund please complete the application form.

Please note our fund supports welfare agencies not individual applications.

If you’re a business or individual who can donate to this critical fund to help those worst affected, please donate through the donate button below.

Details on where the funds have been distributed to so far, can be found on this page.

DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS TO CHARITIES TO DATE

Hawke’s Bay Foundation’s Cyclone Relief Fund was launched under urgency in the days following the devastation that Cyclone Gabrielle unleashed on the region. Within one week of donations streaming in, Hawke’s Bay Foundation’s specialist Distributions Committee approved and mobilised (under full consensus), the first round of funds to frontline charities on a ‘greatest needs’ basis. We have now supported over 55 charitable organisations working in the cyclone response space.

Below is a list of the charities to receive funding so far.

We have also pledged $100,000 to assist with psychological support during the recovery with the Rural Support Trust identified as a key recipient of this funding.

Nourished for Nil

Re-Source

The Environment Centre

Te Roopu a Iwi Trust

Multicultural Association HB

DOVE Hawke’s Bay

Omāhu Marae

Waipatu Marae

Hinemihi Marae

Hohepa

Age Concern Wairoa

Engage Community Trust

Radio Hawke’s Bay

Buzzy Bee Trust

Heretaunga Women’s Centre

Porangahau Country Club

Tangoio Marae

Kereru School

Nuhaka School

Mates 4 Life

Te Mata Park Trust

Napier Family Centre

Ngati Kere Hapu Authority (Porangahou)

Puketapu Parent League

Christian Lovelink

Tatau Tatau o Te Wairoa

Volunteering Hawke’s Bay

Gurundwaa Sahib Temple Hastings

Sri Guru Ravidas Sikh Temple

Turning Point Church

Waiohiki Marae

Waiohiki Creative Arts Village

Punanga Te Wao Kōhanga Reo

Jammies 4 June

Eskdale School

Hukarere Girls College

Omahu School

Pakowhai School

Puketapu School

Irongate School

Hastings and Napier Women’s Refuge

Hawke’s Bay Land Search & Rescue (Land SAR)

Taradale Anglican Church

Tapuae Sports Club

Mataweka Marae Waipawa

Graeme Dingle Foundation HB

EPIC Ministries

CONNECT Youth & Community Trust

Wairoa Agricultural & Pastoral Society

To Mata Hou O Takitimu Trust

Ngā Toi Hawke’s Bay Charitable Trust

Bay View Community Charitable Trust

One Voice Community Services

Surf Lifesaving HB SARS

Taihoa Marae

Whetu Marmama Marae

Twyford School

Tutira School

The first response stage of our distribution of funds was focused on supporting the urgent needs of charitable organisations working in the cyclone response space.

We now move into the second recovery stage of our distributions where we are working collaboratively on strategic initiatives to support Hawke’s Bay on the road to recovery.

FIRST INITIATIVE – SILT REMOVAL
We are working with Evergreen Foundation to support silt clearance from residential and community spaces. Funds have been distributed for machinery and fuel to support the “Hawke’s Bay Clean-Up crew” who provide co-ordinated assistance of silt removal across Hawke’s Bay.  They also remove gib board and spray timber framing on houses to prevent further decay and fungi occurring later in the homes.

Our Executive Officer’s experience with Cyclone Gabrielle

LISTEN to Amy Bowkett chat to Justin Rae at The Breeze about her experience with Cyclone Gabrielle and how to donate

LISTEN HERE

READ about how Amy Bowkett got back to work amidst the devastation of losing her house in the floods

READ HERE

FEEDBACK FROM SUPPORTED LOCAL CHARITIES

CYCLONE NEWS UPDATES

View our latest news updates related to Cyclone Gabrielle on our NEWS PAGE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FROM OUR DONORS

Who makes the decisions around where the Cyclone Relief Fund donations are distributed?

Hawke’s Bay Foundation has an expert Distributions Committee made up of diverse community members with deep community links. This committee considers all distributions from the Cyclone Relief Fund based on greatest need and decisions are made by consensus. Meeting under urgency, the committee has made several distributions already with clear processes and approval mechanisms in place.

How are you prioritising which charities receive the funding?

In the first phase we are prioritising key charities supporting the welfare response where there are likely to be gaps in government funding e.g. food supplies are available but the petrol and transport costs to move the supplies around require additional support. We are linking to the charitable sector to identify and respond quickly using due diligence to ensure that funds are utilised for the intended purpose and are for charitable purposes.

How soon will donations be distributed?

We have already distributed funds to charities with an urgent need in response to the cyclone. 100% of donations made to the Cyclone Relief Fund will be distributed to the Hawke’s Bay community within 12 months or sooner. Where it is practical, we will align our funding with grants made by other funders to avoid duplication or to make a greater impact.

Which charities are eligible for Hawke’s Bay Foundation’s Cyclone Relief Fund support?

We are considering equity within all of our distribution decisions understanding that limited resources must be focussed where there is the greatest need. This will include working with organisations that may not in the past have applied to or been recipients of Hawke’s Bay Foundation funding.

How are you recognising the needs for mental health support through the Fund?

We recognise that the recovery period will take a substantial amount of time and that psychological support particularly for rural and isolated communities will be an issue. We are working with other funders to ensure resources are available for this purpose in the coming months.

Can donations be targeted or specified by the donor?

We have been approached by donors with specific donations for specific charities and are ensuring that these funds are distributed according to the donor’s wishes.

Hawke’s Bay Foundation continues to operate its Annual Funding Round and distribution process to sustain the funding streams of local and vetted charities through its endowment fund.  This is to futureproof Hawke’s Bay and build resilience in our communities, not just in times of crisis, but for generations to come.