Local authorities have lauded the inclusion of a $941 million cyclone relief package in the government’s latest budget. The allocation aims to cover the repair costs of local infrastructure in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle and ensure that the burden does not fall on ratepayers.
The recovery and rebuild efforts would be locally led and supported centrally, addressing the specific needs expressed by each community.
The largest portion of the package, $275 million, will be allocated to Waka Kotahi and local councils for road repairs. An additional $200 million has been set aside for the restoration of the rail network. By shouldering the repair costs, the government aims to alleviate pressure on local councils and ensure that rates for residents do not increase.
The government's commitment extends beyond infrastructure repairs. It includes a plan to rebuild or relocate weather-hit schools, restore conservation and heritage sites, and allocate funds for air and road transport, facilitating access to healthcare for isolated communities.
One of the pressing needs identified in the aftermath of the cyclone is mental health support. To address this, the Mana Ake program, proven successful after the Canterbury earthquakes, will be extended to all primary and intermediate schools in Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti. This expansion aims to provide necessary psychological support to the youngest members of affected communities.
Kerry Henderson of the Napier Family Centre praised the mental-health aspects of the program.
“I think it is really going to make a difference,” she told NZ Herald. “A lot of people don’t recognise the fear and anxiety the cyclone has had on children.”
The announcement of the funding package has been greeted with relief by local authorities and residents. The package offers respite from potential rate increases that would have added to their financial strain – welcome news to Wairoa mayor Craig Little.
“We’re looking at a huge rates increase at the moment as it is, without any additional external funding,” Little told NZ Herald. “That’s the last thing people need.”
While the package addresses several crucial aspects of recovery, the horticulture sector, upon which the local economy heavily relies, expressed concerns regarding the absence of substantial support. Although a $35.4 million investment has been allocated for farmer and grower well-being, the sector believes it requires nearly a billion dollars to fully recover. Government officials acknowledged the need for further support and expressed their commitment to working with the horticulture industry to explore viable options.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said that the package is not the government's final support measure. The extent of the damages caused by Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland floods is estimated to range from $9 billion to $14.5 billion, and Hipkins said the government aims to ensure that adequate funding is allocated to meet the long-term needs of the affected areas.
As the government prepares to unveil the rest of the budget, scheduled for Thursday, this announcement has given them breathing space to highlight another crucial aspect: cost of living support. Critics, however, accuse the government of timing the funding announcement to coincide with the budget, rather than prioritizing the immediate needs of those on the ground.
