Here we are again, whānau. Cyclone Gabrielle, hot on the tail of the recent floods, has put further strain on our communities.
Firstly, if you’re in need of support, call 0800 400 100, or check out what’s available here. If you’re in the fortunate position of being well off and want to help, read on.
Unlike the aftermath of the floods, emergency responders have said donations of food and water are proving to be a bit of a logistical nightmare and it’s actually cash that’s most helpful right now.
Here are 11 ways you can contribute to the Cyclone Gabrielle relief effort.
Party For A Purpose
24 February, Ōtautahi
New Zealand musical royalty will be descending upon Christchurch’s Town Hall this Friday for a massive Ōtautahi 4 Aotearoa fundraiser with all profits being donated to The Red Cross New Zealand Disaster Fund. The star-studded lineup includes Lorde, Neil Finn, Tiki Taane, L.A.B., Marlon Williams, Supergroove, Lee Mvtthews, PRINS, 1 Drop Nation, Emma Dilemma and Big Sima, and will be hosted by Mike McRoberts.
Give The Gift Of Warm Showers
Online
Community-focused initiative, Orange Sky is a mobile service that offers laundry, warm showers and kōrero to our homeless whānau. If you’ve ever hung out at a multi-day festival and forgotten to shower, you’ll know how amazing it feels when you finally get to rinse off. Help this great cause keep trucking along by digging deep and donating now, alternatively if you're able to give a few hours of your time once a fortnight they'd love to have you as a volunteer.
Move To Give Back
26 February, Tāmaki Makaurau
Local charity The Kindness Collective has been putting in some serious mahi to support families in need following both the recent flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle. Help them keep doing good by attending a charity barre class hosted by The Method NZ x Studio Three NZ this Saturday morning in Grey Lynn. The suggested koha is from $30 per person but if you can spare more that would be hugely appreciated.
Buy Artwork
20-30 February, online
Grammy-nominated, Hawke’s Bay musician BAYNK and artist Madeleine Gross are teaming up for a creative collab fundraiser for the New Zealand Red Cross Disaster Fund. 103 single frame paintings that appeared in BAYNK’s recent music video “When I’m Alone” are being sold online for $24.01 each. Throw down some dollars and score yourself a rad piece of artwork here.
Run With The Wolves And Pitch In For Farmers
Online
Sam and Soph, the husband and wife duo behind the ethical woollen line, Honest Wolf, have set up a donations page to support farmers who have been decimated by Cyclone Gabrielle. Losing homes and, in many cases, their entire livelihood—livestock, crops and land—the farming community have been hit hard and it’ll be months before they can even begin to recuperate the losses.
Indulge For A Good Cause
27 Feb-2 March, The Caker
It’s pretty hard to beat cake, especially when it comes in coconut cherry dark chocolate form and is made by The Caker. Well, the dream has become reality—this cake has gone next level and is, in fact, a fundraiser for the Cyclone Gabrielle flood relief work of Tangoio Marae and the Piha community. Available for pick up or delivery from 27 February to 2 March, wrap your mouth around this gem and know you’re making a difference, one bite at a time.
Get Inked And More
2 March, Online
Love and Hope and Electric Ceremony tattoo studio, gender neutral barbershop Spooky Ceremony and plant-based cake studio Neat Cakes are doing a spectacular tattoo and art raffle fundraiser to support the Student Volunteer Army. With 17 epic prizes to be won—from tattoo and cake vouchers to merch and a haircut—all you need to do to be in to win is make a donation and email proof of donation to Love and Hope Tattoo between now and 2 March.
Send Funds To Hapori Māori
Online
Help iwi and marae rebuild and support their local communities around the motu in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle by donating via the Te Tauranga Whiri I Te Māori / Māori Language Commission fundraising pages. If you have your own fundraiser you can also apply to have this added to the list.
Show Your Support For Animals
Online
Many animals have been killed, injured and displaced in both the floods and Cyclone Gabrielle. The SPCA has been hard at work in Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne and Northland rescuing, transporting and sheltering animals, as well as providing support to pet owners. If you’re moved to support this vital work, donate here.
Donate To Local Hospo
Online
According to the Restaurant Association, 85% of hospo businesses were affected by the recent flooding, and 55% were forced to shut up shop because of it. Add Cyclone Gabrielle into the mix and it just gets worse. Community food platform Lazy Susan has set up a donation page to support affected businesses with 100% of funds going to those in need. You can donate to affected businesses here.
Help Out The Cyclone Gabrielle Community Support
Online
Stuff is raising funds for the Red Cross and Mayoral Relief Funds with a givealittle page and many businesses including Infometrics, NLC Payroll, MYOB, E tū, Electric Kiwi, Waikato Orthodontic Centre and more, are jumping on board to match donations. If your business wants to do some good, consider adding your name to that list, or make a donation as an individual.
Wild weather got you wanting to level up your sustainability game? Check out 7 ways to reduce your carbon footprint and slow climate change.
Image credit: Matt Davison, Orange Sky.