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October 04, 2023
Separate track for Māori in Tairawhiti recovery plan
Atereano Mateariki
Posted On October 4, 2023
Download AudioGisborne District Council starts consultation today on whether it should accept the Government’s cyclone recovery package.
The council assessed the bill at over $1 billion, but it’s been given a take it or leave it offer of $204 million – including $125m for roading and bridge repairs, $64m for flood protection and $15m towards buying properties deemed too dangerous to live in.
Councillor Rhonda Tibble says the package only applies to general land.
Owners of Māori land are in a separate recovery plan.
“They deal directly with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet so they have a different formula by which they’re being processed and the Crown is to cover 100 percent of their recovery. However, in the case of general land here inside Te Tairāwhiti, the Gisborne District Council will take out a $30 million interest free loan to meet 50/50 of what the crown will provide for general land,” Ms Tibble says
The first consultation hui is tonight at the HB Williams Memorial Library, and consultation closes on October 16.
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