Waimakariri supporting cyclone recovery
By David Hill, local democracy reporter
The Waimakariri District Council is providing ongoing support following the cyclone in the North Island.
Mayor Dan Gordon says his council is continuing to provide support to the Wairoa District Council as part of Local Government New Zealand’s (LGNZ) Adopt-a-Community campaign.
Council staff and civil defence volunteers also spent time in Auckland and Hawkes Bay in the aftermath of the Cyclone Gabrielle and the flood events.
"We made a considerable contribution, recognising that we too were supported in our time of need after the Canterbury earthquakes.
"There will be ongoing support for Wairoa, including a donation."
In all, nine emergency operations staff spent a combined 128 days in Auckland and Hawke's Bay.
The council also sent three building inspectors and seven NZRT12 civil defence volunteers to Auckland after the cyclone and flood events.
"I acknowledge the contribution they made with time out from their families and the NZRT12 volunteers who did it in their own personal time," Gordon said.
Wairoa mayor Craig Little said his district has been overwhelmed with the generosity and support it has received in the aftermath of the cyclone.
He said the support received through the Adopt-a-Community campaign has been particularly "humbling".
Six mayors and councils have reached out to show their support for Wairoa, including Gordon.
The other mayors included Tory Whanau (Wellington), David Moore (Ōpōtiki), Phil Nixon (South Taranaki), Craig Rowley (Waimate) and Tania Gibson (Grey District).
"The Mayors have been driving these initiatives and encouraging donations to their adopted community’s Mayoral Relief Fund," Little said.
"It is so great that these councils have been there for us, they know how difficult our recovery is and the fact they are supporting us is really reassuring."
Little said more than $500,000 from the Wairoa Mayoral Relief Fund has been distributed to those in need.
The priority was to support people to get back into their homes and supporting community, businesses and farms to rebuild.
He said he could not thank the councils enough for their support and financial contributions.
"It is not until you go through a disaster like this that you appreciate the help you receive from other councils and organisations and realise how vital that support is."
Wairoa is a north Hawke's Bay town, between Napier and Gisborne.
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Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
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