Flooding in the Helena Bay – Ōakura area of Northland on 18 January 2026.
Photo: Screengrab from video – supplied
The Whangārei District Council has announced an emergency recovery fund for residents affected by last week’s severe weather.
Mayor Ken Couper said flood-affected residents would be supported with small grants of $1000 or $2000.
“The community spirit in the area has been nothing short of inspiring. It’s important to us that you’re not left out of pocket,” Couper said in a written statement.
“It’s been a really tough time for many in these communities and the emergency recovery fund is a small but vital part of the response.”
Community and non-profit organisations, marae and small businesses in the Hikurangi-Coastal Ward that had suffered extreme hardship would also be eligible.
Couper said the fund was around $130,000 in total and was made up from contributions from NEMA and the council itself.
The government has also announced that it will make Civil Defence payments available for people affected by last week’s weather events, in specific areas.
The payments would be for people based in Rawhiti, Ngaiotonga, Bland Bay (Whangaruru North), Punaruku, Ōakura (Whangaruru South), Mokau, Helena Bay, Mimiwhangata, Whananaki, Waioweka Gorge, Hicks Bay, and Te Araroa.
The payments would vary depending on someone’s circumstances and what they were paying for.
For example, a single person needing support for food, clothing, or bedding could receive a maximum of $400 and a couple or sole parent with three or more children could get up to $1100.
The payments could be used to help pay for some types of accommodation and assist with lost income.
The government had also provided $1.2 million towards Mayoral Relief Funds and a further $1m to reimburse marae that provided shelter and support.
It had stood up a Temporary Accommodation Service, and sent motorhomes to remote and isolated communities.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
