March 21, 2023
MBIE in for long haul for cyclone shelter
The Ministry of Business Innovation and Enterprise is keen to work with iwi on fixing homes damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle and other natural disasters.
Steve Watson, the head of its temporary accommodation service, says it’s also keen to hear from Maori health providers who can help with the psycho-social and welfare needs of whanau.
He says it’s providing accommodation to 1700 whanau, but the need is likely to be higher with many people still sheltering with other whanau, on marae or making other arrangements.
“There will be many whanau who are currently in motels whose accommodation will be able to be repaired to a suitable standard so they can move back but for those whanau whose houses are seriously damaged or have long term needs, we are in this for the long haul. We expect this response to be minimum of two years for our longest customers and there will be no end date to our service,” Mr Watson says.