Alongside the ‘Pay Half, Play Hard’ initiative, Whiti Ora established a Cyclone Recovery fund for the sport, active recreation, and play sectors. This involved the repurposing of existing funds within the organisation, and connecting with other funders who were willing to show their support by making financial contributions. The other funders included Sport NZ, the Department of Internal Affairs, Trust Tairāwhiti, and the Eastern and Central Community Trust. The almost $300,000 in combined funding has been used to provide fast and accessible funding for those most in need of support.
“The willingness of other funders to contribute to the Cyclone Recovery fund for sport, active recreation, and play has been outstanding! They understand how important these activities are for the well-being and recovery of our communities,” said Pishief. “The need for support will always outstrip the funding available, however, we know this funding has been vital in ensuring activities can continue during these difficult times where people are experiencing real hardship.”
Funding distributions covered travel for those who were impacted by road closures, extra accommodation costs, or who were experiencing financial hardship due to income loss; gear due to structural damage or gear that was damaged or contaminated; and activation to get people and communities active, connected, and participating again.
Groups that have received funding so far are:
- Badminton Eastland
- BMX Club
- Comet Swim Club
- Enterprise Swim Club
- Farmyard Early Childhood Centre
- Gisborne Basketball Association
- Gisborne Bowling Club
- Gisborne Boys High School
- Gisborne Gymnastics Club
- Gisborne Park Golf Club
- Gisborne Rowing Club
- Horouta Waka Hoe
- Lytton High School
- Makarika School
- Mareikura Waka Ama
- Midway Surf Life Saving Club
- Nga Whanau Whanui Kohanga Reo
- Ngata Memorial College
- Ngati Porou East Coast Rugby
- Ngati Porou Surf Lifesaving Club
- Pakowhai Te Kohanga Reo
- Poverty Bay Kayak Club
- Poverty Bay Bowling Club
- Riverview Treks and Pinehollow Riding School
- Ruatoria City Sports Club
- Tahunga Golf Club
- Tainui Sea Scouts
- Tapuwae Rugby Club
- Te Karaka Area School
- Te Karaka Pre-School
- Te Kohanga Reo o Marotiri
- Te Kohanga Reo o Pakowhai
- Te Kohanga Reo o Te Whānau o Hinetapora
- Te Kohanga Reo o Waitakaro
- Te Kura o Māngātuna
- Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Uri a Maui
- Te Kura o Manutuke
- Te Kura o Te Muriwai
- Te Puna Reo o Te Waiu
- Te Waitakaro Kohanga Reo
- Tolaga Bay Area School
- Turanga Tangata Rite
- Turanga Touch
- Uawa Sports Club
- Waiapu Rugby Club
- Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
- Waikohu Netball
- Waikohu Rugby Club
- Waima Rugby Club
- YMP Waka Ama
- Some grants have also been made to support individual whānau to keep active from those communities most affected by the Cyclone.
