The latest update from Hāpaitia workstreams, 11 April 2023.

A few notes from the Hāpaitia workstreams:

• The Hāpaitia site is now live – www.hapaitia.org.nz - and there will be regular public updates available through this medium

TINANA

Colleen Kaye from the Diocese of Waiapu reported that parishes that have been strongly involved in community Cyclone response are now looking ahead to what they can do in the future. After seven weeks the communities are now coming out of the mire -literally for some whose properties have been bogged down in silt.

Rev Frank Nelson reported that many people in Dargaville are still waiting for insurance assessments for storm damage. It was good for the area to have Highway 1 reopened for traffic coming through over Easter, but it has been flagged to close soon, once again making it hard for locals navigating much longer and more difficult routes.

Grant Hope reported on Hukarere Māori Girls’ College saying that there are still additional costs related to the Cyclone displacement that are not covered by funding and Hukarere would appreciate help in the form of fundraising to support the girls’ educational needs. David Tapene reported that King’s College in Auckland has raised a pūtea to support Hukarere College.

Michael Hartfield requested that the Dioceses and Pihopatanga staff in areas where people are involved in Cyclone response/recovery continue to check the Anglican Missions’ spreadsheet to assess and pick up on offers of practical support.

Tairāwhiti and Waiapu have been asked if they would like Anglican Missions to enter an EOI to fund a second visit of trauma psychologists Richard Sawrey and Clive Banks to support people in the Cyclone affected areas. This was supported by the meeting.

PŪTEA

Michael Hartfield confirmed the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal fund had reached $350,000.

Hirini Kaa expressed concern that few Expressions of Interest have come in to Anglican Missions from groups in Cyclone affected areas. Hāpaitia proposed that the small fund working group extend the timeline for receiving Expressions of Interest by a month (to May 15) to recognise medium term projects may take more time to identify and apply for. Members of Hāpaitia will approach marae and churches that might be encouraged to send in EOIs to Anglican Missions.

Medium term EOIs could include:

- engineering assessments
- research and expert advice on protecting taonga/buildings
- clean-up costs
- repair costs
- generators/energy alternatives/Starlink gear
- hui on how to make communities/taonga/buildings disaster resilient

Now all Expressions of Interest sent in to info@anglicanmissions.org.nz or communicated to Anglican Missions staff by phone (ask for Olivia on 04 4735172) by 24th April will be considered in a first round to enable swift funding transfer where there are immediate needs. Hāpaitia welcomes further Expressions of Interest and the next round will be considered in May.

Fe'iloakitau Tevi reported that the Diocese of Polynesia had established a small disaster response fund from the Tonga Volcanic Eruption Appeal that will build up funds as emergency reserve for the first stages of disaster response in the affected areas. He suggested this could be one strategy for a long-term use of Appeal funds in the preparatory/resilience building category.

The meeting agreed to support the potential for a resilience fund.

The meeting also agreed to Bishop Peter Carrell's suggestion that we explore 2-3 larger/longer term projects to be supported, for example Hukarere.

KŌRERO

Verona-Meiana Putaranui and her team will be loading to Vimeo the first video story based on interviews with Rev Zhane Tahau Whelan and the Omahu community in the next week or two. Further video stories will focus on Joleen Perry, Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri in Kaitaia and Amelia Kaui the Hukarere College hostel manager.

CLIMATECONFERENCE

Hirini Kaa reported that Tairāwhiti have come to the conclusion they won’t have the capacity in their post-Cyclone region to host the Climate Conference on the July 20-23 dates. They proposed a later date of November 2023.

Fe’iloakitau Tevi told Hāpaitia that the Diocese of Polynesia is very keen to maintain momentum on the climate conference, disaster preparedness, CIVA training etc. He proposed that the Diocese of Polynesia would be prepared to shoulder some of the organisation for the Climate Conference. Julanne pointed out that at least three Pākehā dioceses have sustainability or climate action staff and those bishops/staff may be prepared to put some time toward supporting the climate conference to take place.

Shortcut to the Donate Now page at Anglican Missions