Help and support

Financial pressures can make a challenging time more difficult. Support is available for those who need it.

Accommodation - Many home and contents insurance policies cover temporary accommodation. Policy wording will differ, so check with your insurer. The Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) can help you find temporary accommodation. Call TAS on 0508 754 163 for more information. If you are providing accommodation to evacuees, you may also be eligible for an accommodation payment.

Civil Defence Payments - You may be able to get a Civil Defence Payment if you had to leave your home, if you were away from your home at the time of the emergency and you can’t return, if you need help with food, bedding or clothing, or if you can’t go to work.

Talk to Work and Income on 0800 400 100 or go to workandincome.govt.nz for help with Temporary Accommodation Services and Civil Defence Payments.

Rates - We have approved rates remissions in response to Cyclone Gabrielle. The remissions apply to red and yellow stickered properties and the application form is available on our rates remissions web page here. In addition to this we will not be charging late payment penalties on this quarter’s rates instalment through till the end of March.

Hawke's Bay Relief Trust Fund - The Hawke's Bay Relief Trust has approved its first round of payments as part of the Cyclone Gabrielle relief package today. Just under $500,000 will be distributed to applicants and be a welcomed contribution to losses they have incurred. The fund offers one-off hardship grants to alleviate hardship due to flooding, prolonged power outages and landslips. For the rural community, applications can be extended to provide some assistance for emergency funding requirements for livestock and disposal of dead stock.

General support line: Call 0800 117 672