Still in a state of emergency

Responding to Cyclone Gabrielle is a mammoth task, so the National State of Emergency has been extended for seven days.

is means strong, experienced coordination across all arms of government can continue on a national level, in partnership with local government, the business community, social service providers, iwi and community groups.

e National Emergency Management Agency we know as NEMA continues to operate its National Coordination Centre to support the ongoing response and is coordinating the all-ofgovernment response.

A new Cyclone Recovery Taskforce ensures local voices have direct input into decision making, and that recovery is led by the needs of those on the ground. Lead Ministers have been assigned to each a ected region, working within their communities and reporting back on their local needs. ey will join a new cabinet committee making decisions relevant to the recovery chaired by Grant Robertson, who has been appointed as the new Cyclone Recovery Minister.

Barbara Edmonds has been appointed as Associate Cyclone Recovery Minister.

More support has been announced. is includes $250 million being provided to help Waka Kotahi and local councils to assess and x roads. And $50 million will deliver interim emergency business and primary sector support. Inland Revenue is being supported to deliver interest write-o s, tax concessions for donated trading stock and an extension of R&D Tax Incentive ling deadlines. is is only interim support and there will be more to come. It certainly helps but it doesn’t undo the destruction, anxiety and heartache. My thoughts are with all a ected, we will get through this together. Kia kaha!