05/18/2023 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/17/2023 21:01
Funding and support for the people and regions affected by flooding and the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle continues to be announced.
Published: Thursday, 18 May 2023 | Rāpare, 18 Haratua, 2023
The report of the Ministerial Inquiry into woody debris (including forestry slash) and sediment-related damage in Tairāwhiti and Wairoa was released on 12 May 2023. Read the report and about the process here.
Funding of $10.5m in Budget 2023 has been provided to local government to support the clean-up of slash and debris in Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti and implement short- to medium-term solutions.
There is also $25.2 million for the next four years to protect 21,000 hectares of hill country farmland across Aotearoa New Zealand. Read more about slash and debris clean-up funding.
The Government has announced a billion dollar flood and cyclone recovery package in Budget 2023 that covers the basics of rebuilding roads, rail and schools while preparing for future events with a significant investment in flood protection measures.
The next steps for property assessments in areas affected by the severe weather events have been announced.
$102m has been allocated to support local government process and dispose of debris from residential properties, and to deal with sediment on council-land. An additional $70m has been allocated for commercial properties (including farmers and growers) to support land clean up. A further $30m has been allocated for debris and sediment removal from whenua Māori. Read more about this funding.
At the end of April 2023, $7.84m of the $9m Te Puni Kōkiri funding had been committed, been processed or was under discussion with applicants, across cyclone affected regions of Ikaroā-Rāwhiti - Takitimu, Ikaroā-Rāwhiti - Tairāwhiti, Te Tai Tokerau, Tāmaki-Makarau and Waikato-Waiariki. Read the story here. Read about the funded kaitono and dashboards on the fund page.