Southlanders encouraged to support Mayoral Relief Fund

If you’ve been impacted, you can apply for support to help with emergency needs, essential household items, and recovery costs. 

How to apply

You can apply by completing the application online, or by filling in a physical copy. Once you have completed the form: 

• Email it to: recovery@cdsouthland.nz, or
• Bring it to Environment Southland, or
• Post it to us at: Emergency Management Southland, Private Bag 90116, Invercargill, clearly marked with your name and "Mayoral Relief Fund". 

Only one application will be considered per business or individual. Your response is automatically 
submitted if using this online version of the form.

This fund is administered by the Mayor and held in a separate Council bank account. Please send all donations to 02 0924 0064987 006. When making a donation please use the reference “Mayoral R.F.”.

Funds contributed to the Mayoral Relief Fund will not be used for council's administrative or business costs.

What is the purpose of the fund?
The purpose of the Southland Mayoral Relief Fund is:

• To provide assistance to families and individuals in the community who are in extreme financial distress due to the October severe weather event. The fund provides assistance on a one-off basis where real need is shown.
• To provide a last resort, when applicants have exhausted all other appropriate sources of relief funding, including but not limited to Ministry of Social Development or other government agencies, or insurance.
• Applicants are required to show proof that they have tried other sources of relief funding.

What can the grant be used for?
When the grant is awarded it may be used for any purpose related to the October 2025 severe 
weather event. However, there is no guarantee of funding.

Who administers the fund?
A Mayoral Relief Fund Committee comprising of the 3 local mayors of Southland District, Gore 
District, and Invercargill City Council will administer the fund.

Privacy
The application form requires you to provide personal information in order to process your application. 
Emergency Management Southland will meet its legislative obligations under the Privacy Act 1993 with regard to any personal information held.

Criteria
In order to be considered for this fund the following criteria must have been met:

• Applicants must be experiencing hardship as a result of this particular weather event at the 
  time of their application;
• Applicants must be a permanent resident or owner of a business located in Southland Region 
  (Southland District, Invercargill City & Gore District Council) at the time of the October 2025 
  severe weather event;

The following criteria for businesses apply:

• The applicant must be able to demonstrate a significant financial hardship attributable to the October 2025 severe weather event.
• The applicant must demonstrate that the business was viable before the event and can recover successfully.
• The business must be located in or provides services within the Southland Region.

Required documentation

• A copy of photographic identification;
• Proof of residency or business location / service provision in Southland Region at the time of the October 2025 severe weather event;
• Proof of items listed in the above criteria; ie. Accounting information for businesses & proof of address for all applicants.

If you are unable to attach the documents now, don't worry, get them to us as soon as you can. Your application can not be processed until supporting documentation/ID is received by the Fund Coordinator