Government to provide additional funding for flood-stricken communities

The New Zealand government has committed to providing additional support for the flood-stricken communities across the top of South Island.

According to Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty, a total of $200,000 will be added to mayoral relief funds for Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough to help local communities as they recover from the devastating weather of the past week.

“This past week has been really tough on the top of the South Island, with a long and challenging recovery ahead,” McAnulty said. “This additional contribution will support these communities as they assess the full extent of the damage and begin the cleanup.”

McAnulty said that mayoral relief funds are intended to address urgent concerns such as recovery activities like cleaning septic tanks, filling water tanks, re-establishing damaged boundary fence lines and clearing debris from properties. The funds also add to other targeted support provided by other agencies such as the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Ministry of Social Development.

“Given the size of the job, there is likely to be more support needed from the government – but this contribution will help these regions tackle the most urgent areas of need while the scope of damage is still being assessed,” McAnulty said, adding that recovery in this instance is likely to be difficult considering that the impact of the heavy rain has been spread across a wide geographical area.

“I’ll be checking in with the council on Thursday to see what additional support from government may be needed,” he said. “Please keep following advice and instructions from Civil Defence and council. Stay safe, don’t take any chances.”