British News Agency

Referring to last week’s severe weather event, New Zealand Prime Minister Luxon said, “We have just announced the first phase of government support for the affected regions.”

Emphasizing that the disaster had devastating consequences for many people, Luxon said, “Its impact has been devastating for many, especially for those who tragically lost loved ones in Mount Maunganui, Welcome Bay and Warkworth.”

Noting that their priority is to provide housing for those who have lost their homes, Luxon added that work is also ongoing in areas where access has been cut off, stating, “As we clear landslides and assess damage to roads, we are currently focused on delivering supplies to communities that are presently isolated.”

Prime Minister Luxon said, “Today, we announced an initial fund of $1.2 million to support the affected regions, as well as an additional $1 million to cover the costs of marae that provided social support during this weather event.”

Luxon also stated that this support is provided in addition to other funds already available across the government to support recovery efforts.