A convoy of motorhomes is making its way to Northland to support those displaced by last week's severe weather.
Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka said 10 motorhomes were headed to the region today, with a further 50 intended to be deployed over the coming days.
Additional motorhomes were planned to be rolled out to the rest of the country later in the week as temporary accommodation needs become clearer in other impacted areas, particularly the East Coast Tairāwhiti.
“These motorhomes provide an immediate option for people who can’t stay in their homes, especially in affected areas where accommodation may be limited,” Potaka said.
“This is about responding quickly to real need on the ground. Mobilising motorhomes into affected communities gives people somewhere to live while they wait to be allowed back into their home or for more suitable housing if they have sadly lost their home.”
Northland's East Coast was hit hard by heavy rain last week, with a summer's worth dumped on the region over a few hours on January 17 and 18.
The rain washed out roads and bridges, leaving locals to wade through floodwaters. Slips and road damage left some communities stranded.
Numerous properties were left damaged by the storm. In Whangārei, five properties were red-stickered, meaning owners could not return. Another 10 were yellow stickered.
The motorhomes were being delivered through the Government’s Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS), which was activated to support those displaced across Northland Te Tai Tokerau, the Coromandel, the Bay of Plenty, the East Coast Tairāwhiti, and other affected areas.
"If your home has been damaged or you think you may need temporary accommodation, even if you’re staying with whānau or friends, please register with TAS as soon as possible so support can be put in place," Potaka said.
Potaka also praised marae, whānau, councils, and Iwi for their work to support people.
Hundreds without power and strong winds add to the anxiety as hazards increase with landslips and fallen trees. (Source: 1News)
Other Government support was in an initial package of $1.2 million to support affected regions with immediate and pressing needs, to be distributed through the Mayoral Relief Funds.
The package also included $1 million to reimburse marae that provided relief and to allow them to replenish.
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