Welcome to issue #34 of Recovery Roundup. In this weeks news:
Flood affected waste collection – Northern Buller: x2 skips available for disposal of flood affected waste from 17th – 24th June, located at Ngakawau Information Centre and 23 Main Road, Hector.
Buller Mayoral Relief Fund: Remains open for applications.
Portable gardens for temporary accommodation residents: The Food Security Network, through Love Kawatiri and No.37, is placing portable garden beds for residents to enjoy at the temporary houses in Queen and Stafford streets.
Operation Outreach: Homeowners whose properties were red or yellow stickered following the July 2021 and/or February floods should have received a questionnaire by post. Respondents are being asked to complete the questionnaire by 24 June 2022.
Kawatiri seniors afternoon tea event: Friday 24th June, 2pm at Johnny’s. Bookings essential.
Kawatiri Adventures holiday programme: Children aged 7-11 impacted by the July floods have the opportunity to attend a free two-day Kawatiri adventure on the 14th and 15th July. – A Buller REAP community initiative.
See below for more information on news and updates this week.
Ngā mihi, have a great weekend.
Did you miss last weeks update? Catch up on all the news here.
flood affected waste collection: Northern Buller
Buller Recovery has organised for two skips to be placed in the Northern Buller area for collection of flood affected waste following weather events this week. Skips have been delivered to the area today, 17th June and will be removed in a weeks time, next Friday, 25th June.
Skips located at:
- Ngakawau Information Centre
- 23 Main Road, Hector
Please note that skips are intended for disposal of flood affected waste only and we appreciate respectful use of this service.
BULLER mayoral relief fund
The Buller Mayoral Relief Fund is making grants to individuals, families and organisations affected by the July 2021 and February 2022 Floods.
Pick up an application form from the Community Hub or download the application forms via the Buller District Council website.
Staff at the Community Hub can help you fill in the form if you need assistance.
HEALTHY, GREEN AND ALL TOO EASY:
PORTABLE GARDENS ARRIVE FOR TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION RESIDENTS
All smiles on delivery day: Garden facilitator at No. 37 Community House John MacFadgen with Lorraine Hartigan.
Portable gardens are popping up at some of the Westport temporary houses and they’re putting smiles on residents’ faces.
The Food Security Network, through Love Kawatiri and No.37, is placing portable garden beds for residents to enjoy at the temporary houses in Queen and Stafford streets. Read more…
OPERATION OUTREACH
The first round of Operation Outreach was undertaken last year by Community Hub navigators (pictured in yellow hi-viz vests) and members of Red Cross. Also pictured is Flood Recovery Manager Social and Welfare, Shayne Barry (bottom right).
A progress check on red and yellow stickered home owners is underway. The aim of Operation Outreach is to gauge the extent of the rebuild/repair process, possible future housing needs and any ongoing, flood-related welfare needs.
Homeowners whose properties were red or yellow stickered following the July 2021 and/or February floods should have received a questionnaire by post.
Questions cover the status of repair on the property, what, if any obstacles to repair, whether property owners understand the process of getting the stickers removed from their property records, as well as any ongoing temporary accommodation and wellbeing needs.
Flood Recovery Manager Social and Welfare Recovery Shayne Barry is urging people to come forward if they have any concerns.
“If you have any queries about the ‘Flood Status’ (red or yellow sticker) of your property please get in touch. Alternatively, some people might think their properties were stickered but don’t hear from us. That could be for a range of reasons including people moving into temporary accommodation. Again, please get in touch so that we can improve our records and provide support wherever it might be needed.”
You can email Ms. Barry at: shayne.recovery@bdc.govt.nz
Respondents are being asked to complete the questionnaire by 24 June 2022, though we recognise the postal system has been a bit slower due to adverse weather conditions and responses will be accepted after that date. The initiative is being undertaken by the Flood Recovery team in conjunction with Buller District Council.
Afternoon Tea for Kawatiri’s seniors
An event for our elderly together for an afternoon tea! Bookings essential. Register your attendance via our Facebook events or call into the Hub to make your booking!
KAWATIRI ADVENTURES HOLIDAY PROGRAMME
Children aged 7-11 impacted by the July floods have the opportunity to attend a free two-day Kawatiri adventure on the 14th and 15th July. Tamariki (children) will explore their natural surroundings with fun outdoor activities to build their confidence and resilience.
This initiative is brought to you by the Buller Flood Recovery Team in conjunction with REAP and your local school.
Feeling ok? Or maybe a bit overwhelmed?
Tell us how you’re going…
West Coasters are no strangers to adversity, but recent times have seen the Buller District fronting up to challenge after challenge.
We know this is tough on people, all people – young, old, working, retired, farmers, flood-affected, and everyone in between – there really isn’t anyone in the community who hasn’t been affected by what the weather and Covid has thrown at us in the past year.
The Buller Flood Recovery Team has partnered with Opinions Market Research and prepared a set of questions called ‘Tell us how you’re going’ to do just that – find out how people are doing.
We plan to start circulating the questions next week and we need as many people as possible to take part so that we can really gauge how things are going for people in our community. That way, you can help us figure out the best ways to support you, the people
‘Tell us how you’re going’ will be available to complete online and there will be an 0800 number to call if talking is the best way for you. We will also have paper copies at the Westport Flood Recovery Community Hub. The questions take around 8 -10 minutes to complete and are open to everyone in the Buller District aged 15 years and over.
Tell us how you’re going and be in to win – we’re holding six $200 prize draws. Keep an eye out for more information on our web page and Facebook, or wherever you get your media from (bullerrecovery.org.nz and Facebook Buller Flood Recovery).
And don’t forget to encourage whānāu and friends to complete the questions, their voice matters too.
Now it’s your turn
We hear a lot of ‘I’m ok, don’t worry about me’ or ‘There are people worse off than me’ and we know those are natural reactions, but now it’s your turn. It’s your time to tell us how you are really doing, what’s working for you, what isn’t, what you need and what we can do better- we’re listening, so take this opportunity to share and tell us how you’re going.
Whether you walk round in gumboots, gym shoes, steel cap work boots, school shoes or jandals, Your voice matters. You matter. Tell us how you’re going.
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.
On behalf of the Flood Recovery Team, we wish you a safe and sunny weekend.
Noho ora mai