Selwyn businesses and community fundraising for cyclone-hit Gisborne

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

Watch Selwyn mayor Sam Broughton mow your lawns, enjoy an exclusive VIP experience at the Hororātā Glow Festival or relax at Terrace Downs while helping the people of Tairawhiti Gisborne recover from Cyclone Gabrielle.

The Selwyn District Council and Waikirikiri Selwyn businesses have joined forces to raise funds for the cyclone-hit region with a charity auction on Friday, May 5.

The fundraiser will be part of a cocktail evening at Rossendale Winery with donated items up for auction. Proceeds will go to the Gisborne Mayoral Relief Fund.

From horse-trekking and luxury accommodation stays at Lake Coleridge, to a free business promotional photoshoot or taking to the sky with the Canterbury Gliding Club, a range of unique products and experiences will be on offer for bidders.

Gisborne mayor Rehette Stoltz will share a video message updating guests on the flood recovery work.

“It’s been fantastic to see the way Selwyn businesses are getting in behind this event, with more signing up as we go," Broughton said.

"As a community we know first-hand what a huge boost it is to have others supporting us in the long-haul recovery from this disaster. Now it’s our turn and it’s good to see how generous and creative Selwyn people have been in giving back and helping others."

The auction is the latest in a series of fundraisers throughout Selwyn to support the Gisborne District after Selwyn ‘adopted’ the community through the Local Government New Zealand Adopt-a-Community programme. The programme partners various Kiwi communities with areas hardest hit by Cyclone Gabrielle.

Gisborne has a long journey ahead to restore roads, bridges, power, and water infrastructure and to help displaced residents back into their homes.

Other fundraisers in Selwyn have included a donation drive at Selwyn Sounds last month, a fire brigade truck pull, and local schools pairing up with their counterparts in Gisborne.

Tickets for the Giving for Gisborne Charity Auction are available at www.Selwyn.govt.nz...