BOP Rural Support Trust Supporting Western Bay Communities After Severe Weather Event
BOP Rural Support Trust is continuing to support rural communities impacted by recent localised weather events that caused widespread flooding, slips and land damage across the Western Bay of Plenty.
January’s severe weather event had significant and ongoing impacts, particularly in Welcome Bay, Papamoa Hills and surrounding rural areas. The scale of the storm led to nearly 80 road closures and more than 70 slip sites across the Western Bay District. Tragically, two lives were lost in the Papamoa Hills.
Rapid building assessments were carried out immediately following the event, resulting in six properties being red-stickered and 12 properties yellow-stickered. Extensive damage was also sustained across several kiwifruit orchards and rural properties. Land instability and infrastructure damage have reduced access to farms and homes, caused power outages, disrupted production, and increased isolation and psychosocial stress for individuals and families.
Funding of $33,500 from the Western Bay Emergency Response Fund will enable the Trust to continue its on-the-ground recovery efforts.
This includes providing direct support to affected farmers and growers, individuals and whānau, undertaking Rural Rapid Damage Assessments, identifying recovery gaps and exploring what support options may be possible, delivering community recovery events in Papamoa Hills and the wider Western Bay, facilitating access to psychosocial and mental health support, and providing on-the-ground intelligence to councils and central government to inform decision-making.
“This funding makes a real difference on the ground. While rural impacts are often less visible, the effects of land damage, infrastructure loss and crop damage are significant for farming families. Support from the Western Bay Emergency Response Fund enables us to stay alongside these communities, identify what’s needed, and ensure their voices are represented throughout the recovery process.” – Jodie Craig, Rural Support Trust Bay of Plenty Regional Coordinator
This funding will enable the Trust to be embedded in the formal response through Welfare and CDEM structures, including liaising closely with sector partners and chairing and coordinating the Primary Sector Coordination Group to ensure rural impacts are clearly represented.