ABOUT ADCR
Aotearoa Disaster and Community Resources
(ADCR)
KIWIS HELPING KIWIS
Our Journey: From the Frontlines of Gabrielle to Everyday Impact
ADCR was forged in the crisis of Cyclone Gabrielle. When disaster struck, we stepped up—and for 12 intensive months, we stood shoulder-to-shoulder with communities across the Hawke's Bay region, providing on-the-ground support when families needed it most.
That year taught us that sustainable relief goes beyond immediate disaster response. To truly protect and support our people, we had to evolve. We looked at how we operated, sought out smarter pathways, and built a year-round engine of community resilience:
- From Emergency to Infrastructure: Transitioning from our 12-month Hawke's Bay storm response to establishing robust permanent infrastructure—such as commercial cold storage facilities in Thames—allowing us to safely store and distribute large volumes of fresh food year-round.
- Unlocking Efficiency: By optimizing our logistics, reducing waste, and maximizing our resources, we stretch every contribution further, ensuring that more kai, supplies, and support reach the families and kura who need them most.
Who we are today
Today, ADCR supports whānau and communities through practical, community-led initiatives that help meet everyday needs while ensuring we are better prepared to respond when disasters strike.
Many whānau experience food insecurity, which can affect children’s wellbeing, learning and ability to thrive at home and at school. We believe every child deserves the opportunity to start their day with a full puku, ready to learn, participate and reach their potential.
One of the ways we support tamariki is by helping provide resources to school breakfast clubs. These clubs offer children access to breakfast in a welcoming environment, helping ensure they have something to eat before the school day begins. By supporting breakfast clubs, ADCR helps schools and communities provide practical support to children and ease some of the pressure on whānau experiencing hardship.
Alongside this, we help connect donated goods and essential supplies with the people and organisations that need them most. By working together with schools, community groups, businesses and generous individuals, we can turn community generosity into meaningful support for local whānau.
Our work also reflects the purpose ADCR was built on: being ready to help when disaster strikes. By collecting and holding essential resources, we can help communities access practical support during emergencies and throughout recovery.
Whether it is helping a child start the school day with breakfast or helping a community through a crisis, our focus remains the same — supporting people, strengthening communities and making sure help reaches those who need it most.
At ADCR, we believe that looking after our communities starts with looking after each other.