New legislation to streamline cyclone recovery

Tūranganui-a-Kiwa - The severe weather emergency legislation bill has been introduced to the House to ensure the recovery and rebuild from cyclone Gabrielle is streamlined and efficient with unnecessary red tape removed.

The legislation is similar to legislation passed following the Christchurch and Kaikōura earthquakes which modifies existing legislation to remove constraints on recovery.  

The urgent changes will help facilitate the initial stages of the recovery and provide legal certainty where needed.

The legislation also removes unnecessary red tape such as extending the period for a food business to renew its registration will mean that it can continue operating post the cyclone without impractical administrative deadlines to contend with.

A month on from the national state of emergency being declared, Aotearoa is moving away from emergency response to recovery.

  Support provided to date includes:

•            An initial $250 million for Waka Kotahi and local councils to assess and fix roads

•            $51 million for affected farmers and growers to clean up and re-establish their businesses

•            $25 million for businesses with immediate costs and clean-up – to be distributed by local delivery partners in the affected regions

•            $5 million to mayoral relief funds

•            More than $57.7 million in civil defence payments

•            Inquiry announced into forestry slash and land use after cyclone Gabrielle

•            A new recovery visa created to help bring in additional specialist workers

•            Temporary accommodation service activated in affected regions

•            Cyclone Gabrielle appeal fund launched along with a special Lotto draw on Saturday March 18

•            $15 million short term relief package to support Māori communities

•            A further $17.5 million to support communities and community providers

•            $15 million for councils to remove rubbish

•            Cyclone taskforce set up, chaired by Sir Brian Roche, to align locally-led recovery plans with government and private sector.