Waiau Earthquake Trade Me Campaign
Press Release: Waiau Earthquake Trade Me Campaign
Waiau and the surrounding rural district suffered badly as a consequence of the November 2016 7.8 earthquake. The small North Canterbury town with a population of approx. 250, was at the epi center of the quake which tragically took the life of one local woman.
Much of the Waiau community infrastructure was badly damaged. This includes the rugby, golf, tennis, netball and bowling clubs. The local Scout Den, playcenter, historic church and cob cottage museum are all red stickered and the only hotel was destroyed.
In total Waiau had 39 buildings red stickered and to give a comparison, Kaikoura which has a population of 3,550, had 34. Many rural farms and families are now facing big challenges as they try to rebuild their lives and businesses.
The local swimming pool which doubles as the community and school pool, was completely destroyed beyond repair. Ex local Verdon Kelliher who these days resides in Auckland started a campaign to get the pool rebuilt. Kelliher said “I chose the pool as a project because the loss of it in particular impacted the kids and my local mates all said that this would be something that would help take their children’s minds off the devastation and continuing aftershocks”
With much of the attention and funding going Kaikoura’s way, the “Rebuild the Pool” campaign has provided a much needed lift in morale for the Waiau community. The campaign has currently raised $134,000 in cash and a further $150,000 in services donated, in particular from Mike Greer Homes, Nairn Electrical and local businesses Lott Contractors, Amuri Transport, and Amuri Lime, but more is needed to make this project a reality.
February the 20th will see the launch of a Trade
Me campaign where 50 donated items will be auctioned off in
an effort to raise another $30,000. Items on offer
include:
• 2016 All Blacks jersey fully signed
by the team
• 2017 Highlanders jersey fully
signed by the team
• 7 day Jucy campervan
holiday
• Heletranz helicopter flight
•
Sir Richard Hadlee personally signed cricket
memorabilia
• Signed Proteas ODI shirt by the
current touring team
• 2016 Crusaders jersey
signed by the team
• 2013 Blackcaps signed
cricket cap featuring Brendon McCullum’s signature
•
Luxury accommodation stays
• Flights from
Christchurch to Auckland for a Audi Driver Experience at
Hampton Downs
• Quality outdoor furniture from
McKenzie and Willis
• AJ Hackett bungy
jumps
• Hanmer Attractions jetboat
safaris
• Golf at Kinloch and Millbrook
•
Whittakers Chocolate
• Farming supplies from
PGG Wrightson and Dow AgroSciences
• A
Fiordland Discovery Cruise
The Waiau community recently
formed a committee to coordinate the new pool project. Led
by local Emma Duncan, Duncan says "the rebuild the pool
campaign has been a rewarding and uplifting distraction from
the effect the earthquake has had on all of us. It's
provided something for the locals to talk about and look
forward to. We are really excited about the Trade Me auction
and so grateful to everyone who has donated towards
it"
The auction commences on Trade Me on Feb 20 at 7pm and concludes on Mar the 3rd.
The link to the auction is trade.me/rebuildthepool