Tairāwhiti emergency waste funding: Gisborne District Council gets $115,590 grant

A long wait for Government emergency waste funding grants after severe weather in January and February has finally paid off for Tairāwhiti.

Environment Minister Nicola Grigg granted $250,000 to five councils for response to the events.

Gisborne District Council received the largest grant of $115,590.

Council director of liveable communities Michele Frey said the support was welcome and would help offset $158,000 in emergency waste management costs.

"The funding will help cover emergency waste management costs, including the collection, transport and disposal of waste, the provision of flexi bags to affected communities, and the removal and disposal of perishable and contaminated waste," Frey said.

"It will also help cover costs associated with emergency waste infrastructure, including the establishment and operation of a spoil disposal site at Te Araroa transfer station for spoil generated through emergency response and recovery works."

Continued severe weather highlighted the importance of resilient waste management systems and effective response arrangements, she said.

The funding was granted to flood-affected communities for waste and fallen tree removal, to repair local infrastructure, or to allow temporary waste management operations and collections, Grigg said.

The grant started in 2024 to allow councils to respond quickly to emergency events without causing strain on ratepayers.

"Councils need to act quickly to respond to severe weather events and deal with waste-related risks to people's health and the environment," Frey said. "This practical change recognised the financial strain these events place on councils and ratepayers."

Whangārei District Council received the second-highest grant at $113,499.

Other beneficiaries included Manawatū, Thames-Coromandel and Ōtorohanga district councils, which received $4000 to $9000 each.

This followed a combined $130,000 grant for Ruapehu, Clutha and Gore district councils.