The government has outlined how half its cyclone business support package will be spent.
Minister for Cyclone Recovery Grant Robertson announced the package during a visit to Tairāwhiti, alongside local MP and Minister for Regional Development Kiritapu Allan. The money will go to businesses to meet “immediate costs” and provide a boost for business advice services.
The ministers also took the opportunity to meet with council, iwi and business leaders from the region on Sunday afternoon.
However, the details of the $25 million announcement were not shared with those leaders ahead of time.
READ MORE:
* Cyclone-hit Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne and Coromandel face another deluge of heavy rain
* More rain threatens Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, Tairāwhiti, Coromandel
* Cyclone Gabrielle recovery: $25 million fund for farmers and growers
Instead, those gathered told reporters it was more akin to a listening session in which the Government could ascertain where and what the needs of the region are.
Daniel Williams, a land manager for Ngāti Porou, said “there was no big announcement”.
“What we got was there’ll be announcements coming, possibly later today. But I have none of that detail. None of that detail was given at the meeting.”
Williams said having a minister on the ground, liaising with businesses throughout the tribulations of the cyclone has been a godsend, especially as it ensured people could return to work “as quickly as possible”.
According to Allan, who has been appointed the lead minister for the Cyclone Gabrielle response for Tairāwhiti, a theme had emerged as to where needs lay.
”You’ll hear a consistent theme in this region. Roading and water are really the two highest priorities.”
The Gisborne district remained under “extreme” water restrictions.
Under the support scheme, there would be initial grants of up to $40,000 made by local organisations in the affected areas (a full list of the organisations is at the bottom of this story).
“Our priority is to get this initial emergency support out as quickly as possible. Those who are on the ground in communities know best how to do that. The Government has established agreements with local delivery partners to make it happen,” Grant Robertson said.
There will also be money given to the Employer and Manufacturers Association to bulk up its advice helpline.
The $25 million is half of what the Government says is an initial $50 million support package announced last Monday.
RICKY WILSON/STUFF
Grant Robertson has announced more assistance to cyclone-affected areas.
“Each local agency will have their own processes, but the Government has provided the funding to address the immediate cashflow needs of businesses.
“This includes those that have been impacted due to barriers to customer access, ability to source stock, supply chain issues, inability to operate as usual due to physical damage to equipment or premises, or delays in insurance assessment and repairs.”
“The initial allocation from this fund will be capped at $40,000 per business while we assess the overall demand for the fund. Further allocations to businesses who access this initial funding are possible.
Robertson said he was aware that there were large businesses that needed more support than the initial amount of money could support.
“We will be working one-on-one with these businesses to understand their needs and how we can support them,” Robertson said.
Daniel Williams was outside the Lawson Fields theatre waiting to hear finance minister Grant Robertson and his regional development counterpart Kiri Allan outline a support package for the region’s businesses.
Williams, a land manager for Ngāti Porou, said that the forestry sector faced significant challenges.
“The industry will need a lot of financial help.”
With essential arterial roads in the Tairāwhiti region rendered useless by Cyclone Gabrielle, Williams said his chief concern was ensuring that roads used the transport logs to East Port could reopen.
“The roads. They need to open as soon as possible to get people back to work.”
Williams said he welcomed the Government’s inquiry into slash, leftover and rubbish logs, caused by his industry.
When asked what he would like to see for the region he was born and bred in, Williams said:
“Open to all options. Things that make our communities more resilient … A lot of consultation needs to happen.”
The Government has been at pains to make sure its response appears driven by local people, while it provides the cash they need.
Labour has been on the nose in some regions because of Three Waters, and it is seen as a centralising Government.
“Through this package our local delivery partners will be using their grassroots knowledge and robust networks to tell us what they need, to ensure the funding is being distributed in the best way possible to meet the needs of their communities,” Kiritapu Allan said.
The Government has also made the First Steps mental wellbeing initiative – initially designed to help small businesses with managing mental health – available for use by businesses in affected regions. The costs of this are covered by the recent funding increase after the Auckland floods. The Government says it will keep a close eye on how the programme is working.
Organisations distributing flood business support.
- Northland Inc
- Auckland Business Chamber
- Toi Economic Development Agency
- Thames Coromandel District Council
- Trust Tairāwhiti
- Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce
- Tararua District Council
