Mauao Business Recovery Fund Terms and Governance
These terms exist so that donors, businesses and the wider community can have full confidence in how this fund operates.
Purpose
The Mount Community Recovery Fund exists to support local businesses in the Mount Maunganui community impacted by the recent tragedy and its ongoing effects.
Donations are pooled into a community fund and distributed through a fair, transparent application and assessment process.
Fund Administration
The Fund is administered by UNITY. Aotearoa, a not for profit social enterprise operating for community benefit under a governing constitution. UNITY. Aotearoa has no shareholders and does not operate for private gain.
Fund Assessment Panel
Funding decisions are made by an independent three member Fund Assessment Panel.
Panel members are appointed for their connection to the Mount community and their commitment to fair, transparent decision-making.
Distribution of Funds
UNITY. Aotearoa is a not for profit and does not benefit financially from this Fund in any way. All funds raised are focused on distribution to businesses, with only the actual running costs of the Fund covered, including payment processing, fund development and management, campaign communications and awareness, administration and compliance and reporting. The independent Fund Assessment Panel reviews these costs on an ongoing basis to ensure they remain fair, reasonable and proportionate. Any funds not required to cover running costs go directly to business allocations. Total funds raised, total funds distributed to businesses and total running costs will be published and updated regularly.
Eligibility and Funding Priority
The Fund will prioritise support for businesses located at the base of Mauao. These businesses have experienced the most direct and severe impact on their operations, foot traffic and viability as a result of the January 2026 slips and their ongoing effects. Within this priority area, businesses at immediate risk of closure will be given the highest priority for support.
Where primary funding needs at the base of Mauao have been met, the Fund will extend support to businesses across the wider Mount Maunganui community experiencing hardship as a result of the tragedy and its ongoing effects, with priority given to those at immediate risk of closure.
This approach ensures the most significantly affected businesses and those facing the most urgent risk, receive support first, while allowing the Fund to serve the broader community as capacity allows.
To be considered for funding, businesses will generally need to demonstrate the business operates at the base of Mauao or within the wider Mount Maunganui community. The business has experienced demonstrable hardship as a direct result of the tragedy and its ongoing effects; including lost trade, forced closure, reduced foot traffic, or significant operational disruption. The business contributes to the Mount community through local employment, services, or as a gathering place for residents and visitors. The business is experiencing genuine financial pressure, whether through lost revenue, increased costs, or uncertainty that threatens its viability.
Where demand exceeds available funds, the Panel will prioritise applications based on proximity to and direct impact from the base of Mauao, severity of financial hardship, risk of closure, impact on local employment and livelihoods and contribution to the Mount community.
Conflict of Interest
All Panel members and anyone involved in funding decisions must declare any actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest including financial, family, business, or employment relationships. Anyone with a declared conflict must remove themselves from all discussion, assessment and decision-making on the relevant application. All conflicts are recorded and managed in accordance with governance procedures. Panel members may not apply directly to the fund for financial support.
Donor Acknowledgement
By donating, donors acknowledge tha donations are made to the Fund, not to any specific business. Recipient businesses may remain confidential, funding decisions are made through an assessment process. Donations are non-refundable once processed.
Confidentiality
We recognise that financial hardship is a sensitive and personal matter. All applicant information is treated as strictly confidential throughout the assessment process. Successful recipients will not be publicly identified without their explicit written consent.
Transparency and Reporting
UNITY. Aotearoa will publish periodic updates including total funds raised, total funds distributed, number of businesses supported, fund administration costs retained, percentage of funds distributed to beneficiaries. Individual recipient details will remain confidential unless written consent is provided.
Amendments
UNITY. Aotearoa reserves the right to amend these terms where necessary to ensure effective administration and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Any material changes will be communicated publicly. Continued participation constitutes acceptance of updated terms.
QuestionsIf you have any questions about how this fund operates, we welcome your enquiry.
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