Latest information on Whakaari / White Island Business Support 14 January 2020.
It has now been over a month since the Whakaari eruption and many local businesses have been working hard to cater to our many seasonal visitors. This is a busy time for many of us, and we would like to thank the visitors that came to visit our region. However, many businesses have struggled in the aftermath of the Whakaari eruption and support is available for those that need it.
We are all still grieving for those lost in this tragedy, and our thoughts are with all those families and individuals around the world that are facing the New Year without loved ones or with long term injuries.
An initial government Business Support Package has been established to ensure businesses are able to continue to operate and keep their staff employed. The initial Business Support Package is to be managed by a panel appointed by Te Runanga o Ngāti Awa, Whakatāne District Council and the Ministry of Social Development. The administration of the applications and business owner interaction will be led by the EBOP Chamber of Commerce, with Lucy Devany recently appointed as the Business Support Manager. Lucy understands the challenges of businesses well and will be known to many of the EBOP business community given her role as Office Manager at the EBOP Chamber.
The panel is going to be considering applications against set criteria. These criteria are that the business:
was viable and suffered a substantiated, significant income drop caused by the Whakaari / White Island eruption on 9 December 2019
is primarily based in the Whakatāne district
paid employees at least the minimum wage
provided a significant source of income to the business owner
had no other efficient options available, including insurance
The panel’s first meeting will be in the first week of February and will meet regularly after this. All enquiries regarding this package should be directed to Lucy Devany at the EBOP Chamber of Commerce - whakaarisupport@ebopchamber.co.nz. Lucy will assist business owners in navigating the application process. The Chamber would like to stress the urgency in businesses applying for support as this initial fund is available until the 2nd of March 2020.
The EBOP Chamber of Commerce has confidential support available to help those business that require assistance with accounting, cash flow forecasts, insurance enquiries, and other information that may be required for the applications. There are also a number of confidential Business Mentors available for those that want to take the opportunity to see how to best navigate the new commercial landscape in the region.
The Ministry of Social Development has also appointed Cam Karepa as the lead within their network. Cam will ensure that employees who are concerned about their immediate financial situation or their ongoing employment are able to navigate the Work and Income environment, should it be needed.
Please see further support details, including emotional and trauma support, at the EBOP Chamber of Commerce website: https://www.ebopchamber.co.nz/business-support/whakaari-white-island-business-recovery/
Key Contact Details:
Lucy Devany, Whakaari Business Support Manager
Email: whakaarisupport@ebopchamber.co.nz
Phone: 027 7585614 / 07 219 3827
Cam Karepa, Programme Coordinator, MSD
Email: Cam.Karepa003@msd.govt.nz
Phone: 029 660 0072
Source: Eastern Bay Chamber of Commerce
