Community Support Fuels Storm Recovery

Thames-Coromandel residents express gratitude for a $400,000 relief fund that helped repair homes and restore access following devastating January storms.

By: AXL Intelligence

Published: Apr 10, 2026, 5:52 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

Vital Repairs for Isolated Rural Households

For Kennedy Bay resident Joseph Potae, the funding was the difference between being stranded and regaining his livelihood. Living on a rural property with a whānau of 14, Potae watched as floodwaters carved out the banks of the only bridge connecting his home to the outside world. Without insurance, the cost of replacing destroyed fencing, repairing his decking, and hiring an excavator to clear thick mud and debris would have been insurmountable. "Without it, we would have been stuck with just shovels... it really was a blessing," Potae shared, expressing his gratitude to the donors who made the excavator hire possible.

Financial Lifeline for Pensioners

The storm’s impact was equally felt in Whitianga, where pensioner Barry Wrigg faced the daunting task of repairing his flooded home. Despite his efforts to roll up carpets as water breached his property, the flooding destroyed the underlay and required professional uplift and drying. Wrigg noted that the relief funding was "critical" for a pensioner on a fixed income, covering essential costs that would have otherwise led to a significant financial struggle.

Assessing Need and Prioritizing Hardship

The fund attracted 244 applications, which were assessed by an independent Governance Group. Priority was given to: