Just over $100,000 allocated by Waipā District Council to a Covid recovery fund will be returned unspent to council coffers where the community needs caused by the changing financial landscape is greater.
The council approved a $795,000 Covid-19 recovery package in June 2020 to help the district recover socially and economically from the pandemic.
Part went towards employing two community advisors – Gina Scott and Corren Ngerengere – plus an increase in event funding and district marketing.
Kate Jones, left, and Jessica Brown, right of Te Awamutu Citizens Advice at the Kihikihi Community Connect Day in October 2021. The bureau used its money to train new volunteers and upskill existing staff. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
The rest went towards a $400,000 contestable fund to help iwi and district organisations provide positive community outcomes post Covid.
Scott told the Strategic Planning and Policy committee this week the money provided much needed financial support.
“Clubs and community organisations were able to continue to pay regular expenses i.e. insurance/maintenance, to ensure they remained operational post the pandemic.
“Extra counselling services were made available to tamariki through local providers working alongside local primary schools and adult counselling opportunities were offered via the Cambridge Community House,” she said.
Corren Ngerengere (left) and Gina Scott: community advisors for Waipā District Council.
The community house got two grants, one for $105,040 in November 2020 – the largest grant to any organisation – to support an additional counsellor and social worker. The other was for $4500 in September 2022 for two talk groups and a community barbecue.
Funding of $10,000 to the Te Awamutu Community Food Forest 18 months ago resulted in 300 fruit trees being planted enabling sustainability of the orchard for years.
Other organisations to make a difference were Te Awamutu Citizens Advice Bureau who trained new volunteers and upskilled existing staff; Te Awamutu disability provider ConneXu’s Hauora project which provided life skills so disabled clients could manage their own wellness and Cambridge Safer Community Charitable Trust’s neighbourhood support initiative towards developing emergency plans.
“Due to the changes in the national approach to Covid-19 since the last fund allocation, and other pressures being faced by the community, it would be very hard to directly identify support opportunities relating specifically to Covid-19 recovery,” said Scott.
The committee approved returning the $100,213 left over to the council’s cash surplus.
The Te Awamutu Community Food Forest is located at Pekerau Reserve and is a communal fruit forest and space for the community to share and connect. Photo: Supplied.
Total grants made since November 2020:
September 2022 – ConneXu 2020 Trust – The Hauora Project $13,008, Te Awamutu Community Food Forest $10,000, Ōhaupō Community, Sport and Recreation Centre Trust $6500, Citizens Advice Bureau Te Awamutu Incorporated $6899, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce $5000, Te Awamutu Sports $5000, Zion Church Trust – Counselling in Waipā Schools $13,093, Children’s First Charitable Trust $3000, Cambridge Life Skills Institute Trust $5000, Cambridge Community House $4500, Cambridge Safer Community Charitable Trust – Neighbourhood Support $5000, Grandstand Trust $8000.
June 2022 – Waipā District Council for community librarian $31,000.
December 2021 – Mighty River Domain $3034.99, Te Awamutu Safer Community Charitable Trust $30,000, Cambridge Safer Community Charitable Trust $30,000.
November 2020 – Ngāti Koroki Kahukura Trust $20,000, Ngāti Apakura Runanga Trust $10,000, Cambridge Committee of Social Services $1000, Citizens Advice Bureau Te Awamutu $5314.62, Cambridge Community House $105,040.
The Covid recovery fund paid for temporary fencing at Lake Karāpiro’s Mighty River Domain. Photo: Supplied.
