Several southern councils announced their participation in the Local Government New Zealand "Adopt a Community" scheme yesterday, in an effort to drive more targeted fundraising relief for communities devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Participating councils have been partnered with North Island councils among the most severely hit, and will focus on sending funds to their adopted districts.
Iwi and some businesses have also announced significant donations to the relief effort.
The scheme was the brainchild of Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan, who said southern residents wanted to help their northern counterparts in a "meaningful" way.
"[This is] a practical way for mayors from other parts of the country to channel their energy.
"It creates a direct connection with one of the badly affected communities."
More than 30 adopter councils had signed up already, and more were expected.
Yesterday, councils including Waitaki, Queenstown-Lakes and Clutha announced they would take part.
Clutha and Waitaki will adopt the Far North District Council.
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan said the scheme helped provide "focus" for relief efforts.
"We can now focus our efforts on the Far North, who have been truly devastated by the cyclone. I’m confident Clutha will step up and offer their support."
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said he fully supported the scheme.
"I hope our Waitaki community can make a positive difference to the Far North community, especially those whose lives have been tipped upside down.
"Several councillors and I are working on fundraising ideas and look forward to Waitaki getting on board to help our northern friends."
Queenstown-Lakes chief executive Mike Theelen said the district had been matched with Central Hawke’s Bay.
"It’s not difficult to think of a time when the boot might be on the other foot, and we’d be reliant on other parts of the country helping us, so I would encourage anyone who has the means to consider making a donation."
The council would also look at ways to offer Central Hawke’s Bay future support.
"It will take many months for a disaster of this scale to be resolved at a practical level, let alone the years it will take for people to come to terms with its effects."
In an email to its members last week, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu announced a $1million pledge to affected whānau, hapū, iwi and marae.
"Now it is time to repay the generosity that was shown to us following the Christchurch and Kaikōura earthquakes."
Yesterday, farming co-operative Alliance Group announced a $200,000 donation to the East Coast Rural Support Trust, to support the rural communities of Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Tararua and the Wairarapa.
The group is also running a stock donation programme to raise additional funds.
Adopt-a-Community donations can be made directly to affected councils’ relief bank accounts, details of which can be found on partner council websites.
