Delivering hope and aroha during lockdown

Posted on: 24/04/20

Northland Community Foundation (NCF) established the Northland COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to help Northlanders who are hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund is intended for those most affected during the lockdown and thereafter.

NCF is working with Northland District Health Board, Ministry of Social Development, Civil Defence and other funders and partners to identify gaps in government funding and where our funding assistance can be best utilised.

In response to an immediate need within the Moerewa community, NCF has provided $5,000 in funding to support He Iwi Kotahi Tatou Trust (HIKTT) so that they can continue to provide care packs to residents living in and around Moerewa. These care packs consist of essentials such as flour, bread, eggs, fruits, vegetables, kumaras and hygiene products. They are distributed to vulnerable families and the elderly in the community. Over 1000 packs have already been given out since 23 March and will continue weekly.

Moerewa is a small town in Northland about five kilometres to the West of Kawakawa. It has a population of approximately 1,500 and over 88 percent of its residents are Maori. The town has been battling with unemployment and poverty due to restructuring and the loss of rural services over the years. These pre-existing conditions compounded with the current COVID-19 situation have made life even harder for the locals living in Moerewa.