Tararua is continuing to find its feet following the devastation wreaked by Cyclone Gabrielle.
The district, which now has all but 15 roads open, was one of six included in the Government’s temporary accommodation service announcement this week.
The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment [MBIE] announced that the service was active in all regions severely impacted by the cyclone – Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne, and Tararua.
MBIE said the temporary accommodation service will support affected households to find accommodation while their home is being repaired or rebuilt, or they are unable to return to their home.
The district also remains included in the National State of Emergency, which was extended by another seven days on Monday.
In a general update on the district’s recovery yesterday, Tararua Mayor Tracey Collis said the impact of the cyclone is still deeply felt by many communities and admitted there is “still much work to be done”.
Tararua District Council [TDC] said about 1400 square kilometres of the district had been devastated when Cyclone Gabrielle swept through the region on Valentine’s Day.
The cyclone had heavily impacted the district’s roading network, with TDC citing 1500 faults on roads and bridges as well as 150 recorded dropouts.
At Cyclone Gabrielle’s peak, 43 roads were closed. With 10 roads reopened on Monday, that number now stood at 15, with four accessible by four-wheel drive only, TDC said.
The council also confirmed boil water notices had been removed in Akitio and Pongaroa.
However, TDC acknowledged the farming industry, in particular, had been hard hit.
“Farmers are anxious to get their farms operational again, but there is much work to do before this can happen.”
It encouraged farmers to get in touch with Rural Support Trust.
To apply for temporary accommodation visit: www.tas.mbie.govt.nz
Contact Rural Support Trust on: 0800 787 254 [0800 RURAL HELP]
