Happy New Year
We hope you had an opportunity to enjoy some time out with family and friends over the Christmas / New Year period. We have been spoiled with the weather over the last few weeks and it’s been lovely to see so many locals and visitors out and about enjoying the beach, surf and everything nature has to offer here in the Buller region.
The Elf on a Shelf Hunt prior to Christmas was a resounding success, check out the Facebook page for photos and comments from those who participated, along with our lucky winners! If you haven’t done so already, please take a moment to like or follow the Westport Flood Recovery Facebook page, as any future coming events will be included on the page under the events section.
Did you miss last weeks update? Catch up on all the news here.
On behalf of the Flood Recovery Team, we wish you a safe and sunny weekend.
Noho ora mai
FREE EVENT | NBS Theatre 2nd March | Bookings Essential
UPDATE – 8 FEB: THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT
lOOKING AFTER YOURSELF with Westpac Ambassador SIR JOHN KIRWAN
Come along and listen to Sir John Kirwan’s (JK) story along with some of the tools he has used to stay well during challenging times.
JK’s personal journey with depression has led him to be actively involved in mental health awareness campaigns in New Zealand. For his incredible commitment and work in this space JK was appointed as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to mental health in the 2007 Queen’s Birthday Honours. And in the 2012 Queen’s Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours, JK was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to mental health and rugby.
A world class winger, JK’s contribution to rugby, both as a player and a coach, has been immense. JK is one of the highest try scorers in international rugby union history and still holds a couple of NZ rugby records. The other side of the story is while he was scoring tries and becoming a rugby legend, he was also battling depression.
Sir John Kirwan will be in Westport on the 2nd of March for this free event commencing at 6pm at NBS Theatre – Click here to reserve your seat.
During the day, Sir John Kirwan will be visiting the Westport Community Hub as well as some of our local schools talking to our youth and community groups.
Please note the NBS Theatre is a double vax venue, attendees will be required to show their ‘my vaccine pass’ on entry and comply with Covid19 guidelines.
5 Ways to WellbEing
This week we hit the street to share some joy with an abundance of Putiputi (flowers), including weaved harakeke (flax) flowers for our hapori (community). These were given away to passerbys, who were encouraged to gift a flower to someone else as well.
One of the five ways to wellbeing is through the act of giving. Carrying out acts of kindness, whether small or large, can increase happiness, life satisfaction and general sense of wellbeing.
“Sometimes it’s the small things that makes all the difference for people, and it looked like it did for those we connected with. We look forward to finding other ways of connecting with our Community and bringing more feel-good moments.” said Stephanie from the Westport Flood Recovery Team.
For more information on the 5 ways to wellbeing visit
https://mentalhealth.org.nz/five-ways-to-wellbeing
Mayoral Flood Relief Fund
The Mayoral Flood Relief Fund is in a healthy state and is open to applications from flood affected persons.
The assessment panel would welcome deserving applications for assistance in the new year.
If you need support through what has been, and still is a challenging time, you can pick up an application form from the BDC or the Community Hub.
Remember, our Community Navigators are on hand to assist you with your application, as well as support to access other services related to the flood recovery.
3 Stafford Street – Progress pics
Work is progressing on the Kainga Ora houses at 3 Stafford Street.
All 5 houses have had the exterior walls painted and the trims will be completed in the coming weeks. The bathrooms are currently being stripped out, to open up the toilet and washroom area for better/safer access to the amenities and to removed/replaced the rotten timbers/flooring. New showers, vanities and new vinyl flooring will be installed in all bathrooms. The builders will be commencing the decks/ramps/steps later this week or early next week.
Interior painting is scheduled to commence later this month thanks to volunteers from Kainga Ora, Rotary and family & friends of the Flood Recovery Team.
NEED HELP? PH 0800 768 348
All are welcome at The Community Hub. Whether you have been impacted directly, or are interested to learn more about the recovery effort, pop down to the community hub for a cuppa and a chin wag.
The Community Hub is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am-4.00pm. Phone 0800 768 348 for assistance outside normal opening hours.
