​Generous gift from Ashburton District to Masterton

Nearly $17,000 has been donated to Masterton District Council by the people of Ashburton District, which adopted Masterton District as part of Local Government NZ’s “Adopt-a-Community” initiative to encourage support of areas hit by Cyclone Gabrielle.

Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown advised Masterton Mayor Gary Caffell of the generous response this week.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with you following the devastation caused throughout your district, our ‘adopted’ district, by Cyclone Gabrielle,” he said.

“The Ashburton District Council established a flood relief fund and reached out to our community to donate to assist the people of your district affected by Cyclone Gabrielle as they attempt to piece their lives back together. The community responded and have donated a total of $16,895 to the Masterton district.”

Mayor Caffell was humbled by the response.

“As Mayor, I am absolutely stoked at the response from the people of Ashburton district. It typifies to me the great fellowship between councils and their communities all over the country as we start the long recovery process to right the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.

“I know that those people in our district whose homes, properties, and businesses were adversely affected by the cyclone will want to say a special thank you to Mayor Neil Brown and his community for their massive contribution. Their generosity won’t be forgotten.”

The funds have been incorporated into the Wairarapa Mayoral Relief Fund, for allocation to Masterton applications.