Million Dollar Fundraising Target For Niue

Manukau City Council is to donate $15,000 to help the clean up and reconstruction of cyclone-devastated Niue.

Mayor Sir Barry Curtis says a Niuean relief fundraising target of one million dollars has been established following a meeting with Waitakere mayor Sir Bob Harvey, Niue and other Pacific islands, representatives of Westfield Shoppingtown and Sir Howard Morrison, all of whom are working on the project.

The figure includes cash and goods and services in kind. Both Waitakere and Manukau have substantial numbers of Niuean residents.

Sir Barry says the immediate needs of the island’s population are being met but there is a huge job of rebuilding the basic services, housing and infrastructure. “We in Manukau have strong links with Niue because so many of our local Pacific population are from there – around 10%, or 7,000 people. So it’s only right that we should help with fundraising.

“We are asking the public to donate either cash or useful items needed in the long term cleanup of the island, such as spades, shovels and other equipment, including heavy construction equipment. Canned and other dry food is also very welcome.”

Donated tools and equipment can be taken to the Council’s depot in 38 Holmes Rd, Manurewa, the central collection point. The depot is open 9.30

am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 1pm to 5p Sundays and is being manned by Niuean volunteers.

Although basic water supplies are back on tap in Niue, the Council is considering sending water engineers to help the cleanup. However no final decision has been made yet.

Sir Howard Morrison is also organising fundraising events at Westfield malls in Manukau and Henderson soon. He says they will be wide-ranging events involving entertainment and awareness-raising regarding the situation in Niue, and will feature celebrities. Charlotte Dawson and the Warriors have already agreed to take part.

Sir Barry is urging people to go along and support the event. Exact details of the dates and the programme have not yet been confirmed.

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