New Zealand / Weather

Cyclone Gabrielle: Where to donate

11:41 am on 18 February 2023

Cyclone Gabrielle left thousands displaced in Hawke's Bay. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

As more images of the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle come in, those who are looking to help can do so with donations of money, time or goods.

Here are some of the places accepting donations for those affected by the cyclone.

Red Cross New Zealand Disaster Fund

New Zealand Red Cross teams are working to deliver vital assistance to the hardest hit parts of the country. Donations will help those impacted by the cyclone, as well as those impacted by the next emergency we face.

Red Cross New Zealand Disaster Fund

Mayoral relief funds

Relief funds are being set up for affected regions and will be posted at the link above when they are ready, Money collected will be used for clean-up and recovery efforts and support in the hardest hit communities.

The National Emergency Management Agency has a list of mayoral relief funds.

Iwi fundraising

In some areas hit by the cyclone, local iwi have set up fundraisers to support their communities and help with recovery efforts. For a list of different iwi fundraisers, see this site created by the Māori Language Commission.

Helping You Help Animals (HUHA)

To help animals affected by the cyclone, donate to the charity Helping You Help Animals, which is caring for displaced animals around the North Island. To make an instant donation of $3, text HUHA to 4463.

Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers are currently accepting direct bank donations to assist with recovery for farmers,

Auckland City Mission

A flood response fund has been set up by the mission, with both Vodafone and Te Rourou, Vodafone Aotearoa Foundation matching donations up to $35,000 each. The Mission is also accepting donations of food.

Orange Sky

This Auckland-based mobile laundry and shower service are welcoming donations of toiletries, but not towels or blankets as they have no storage. Money can also be donated here.

Hawke's Bay Foundation 

A targeted regional fund has been set up to help those in the community worst affected by the disaster.

KidsCan

KidsCan has launched an appeal to help get clothing and food supplies to kids and their families via the schools and early childhood centres it supports. The charity is asking the public to donate $15 – or what they can afford - to help, and Graeme and Robyn Hart have donated $500,000 to kickstart the appeal.

SPCA

The SPCA says it has "been hard at work on the ground in Hawke’s Bay after it was devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle... From rescuing displaced animals, providing lifesaving transport and shelter, and providing much-needed support to pet-owners in need." Donate here.

Givealittle

A Givealittle page has been set up for the family of two-year-old Ivy, who drowned in the flash flooding in Eskdale, Napier. The donation site has also created a page compiling all of the fundraisers for those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.

Volunteering

For those with time to donate, a number of volunteering services around the country are up and running and looking for more help. Here are links to some local organisations:

Volunteering Hawke's Bay

Volunteering Northland

Volunteering Bay of Plenty

Volunteering Auckland

Volunteering Waikato

Student Volunteer Army

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