The Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust Fund is open for applications.

Communities, iwi, hapū and marae in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, East Coast and Hawke's Bay regions and the Tararua district are being invited to apply for their share of the fund.

The Trustees have decided to target the medium to long-term needs of communities, iwi hapū and marae in affected regions.

"One of the lessons learned from the devastating 2011 Christchurch earthquakes is that it takes some time for longer-term needs to become clear," says trustee Barbara Arnott QSO.

"This Fund was set up to help ensure those needs are supported.

"We have been told there are many small-scale projects that communities, iwi, hapū and marae want and they can quickly complete. We want to fund these."

Thanks to donations from the public, the Trust has $14 million for project grants.

This is made up of all the donations to the appeal (including the special Lotto draw), and all interest earned to date.

More information, including how to apply can be found https://www.cycloneappeal.org.nz/