The New Zealand Government has extended the state of national emergency for a further seven days as a response to the widespread impacts caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Minister for Emergency Management, Kieran McAnulty, signed the declaration extending the states of national emergency early this week.
“The devastating impact of Cyclone Gabrielle continues to be felt by communities throughout the North Island,” Minister McAnulty said.
“Lives have tragically been lost, and thousands of lives have been upended. As the response to Cyclone Gabrielle continues the extension will allow for the continued support of local civil defence emergency management and coordination of the supply of resources into affected regions.”
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The extension covers the states of national emergency over the Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Tairāwhiti, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Hawke’s Bay regions, and the Tararua District. All regions were consulted before extending the declaration and supported the extension.
“We recognise that some areas have already moved into recovery. This extension allows the Government to continue to support them while we assist remaining areas in their response,” Minister McAnulty said.
“I want to acknowledge again the extraordinary efforts of everyone contributing to what is now one of our most significant emergency responses. The Government thanks you and continues to stand alongside you.”
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Aside from the extension of the national emergency, the New Zealand Government will also provide further emergency relief package for regions hit by Cyclone Gabrielle and the January floods.
The package, reaching a total of $300 million, will be divided towards different projects. $250 million will be sent to help Waka Kotahi and local councils assess and fix roads and $50 million will be used to deliver interim emergency business and primary sector support.
“I saw first-hand the devastation in Hawke’s Bay yesterday and I know other areas have also been hit hard,” Minister of Finance Grant Robertson said.
“As Finance Minister, I have been clear that we have the fiscal headroom to support our people and we will do that as we have done through all the other disasters, we have guided this country through.”
The announcement of the disaster relief package and the extension of the state of national emergency is a further step in the New Zealand Government’s response to provide support as a clearer picture of the damage and the costs to each region emerges.