Supporting the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery
In early 2023, communities across the North Island were affected by major weather events, including Cyclone Gabrielle.
The cyclone caused unprecedented flooding and damage.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) provided significant funding to support the recovery of affected farmers, growers, whenua Māori owners, and rural communities.
Regional Infrastructure Fund
The Government announced the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) in May 2024.
The fund has $1.2 billion over 3 years to invest in new and existing infrastructure across regional New Zealand.
It has 2 categories for funding allocation.
- Resilience infrastructure: projects that enhance a region’s ability to withstand and adapt to stresses and shocks, such as flood protection works and energy security.
- Enabling infrastructure: projects that support broader economic outcomes, such as increasing productivity in regional economies.
Applications to the RIF are open. The fund is administered by Kānoa, the Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit.
Regional Infrastructure Fund – Kānoa
Government media release: Regional resilience and prosperity focus of new fund – Beehive
Woody debris clean-up
The Government continues to support the clean-up of woody debris.
Budget 2024 contained funding for the removal and treatment of woody debris in Tairāwhiti.
Government media releases about clean-up funding
More than $1 billion for Cyclone relief, resilience and emergency preparedness – Beehive
More funding to Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti – Beehive
Funding to clean up slash and debris in Tairāwhiti and Hawke's Bay – Beehive
Cyclone Gabrielle funds that are now closed
Farmer and grower grants
Farmers, growers, and whenua Māori owners in areas significantly affected by Cyclone Gabrielle were able to access support for urgent recovery efforts.
More than $64 million was paid out in recovery grants.
The funding enabled affected farmers and growers to undertake urgent repair work, including fencing, and clearing silt to save trees and vines.
Applications for recovery grants closed in April 2023.
Grants included:
- up to $10,000 for pastoral and arable farmers to help with initial recovery, such as repairs to water infrastructure for livestock, and fencing
- up to $2,000 per hectare (up to a maximum of $40,000) to remove silt from trees and vines, support clean-up, and minimise future losses.
Initial mobilisation support
MPI also provided $4 million to help rural communities with immediate recovery needs after Cyclone Gabrielle.
This was targeted funding to help with urgent primary sector needs that were not being met by other organisations. This fund is now closed.
The fund was fully committed to a range of projects covering aerial surveys, mental wellbeing, recovery advice, logistics and transport, fencing support, and reimbursement of costs of urgent response activity.
Wellbeing, health and safety, and animal welfare
Budget 2023 provided $35.4 million to support the recovery of rural communities through 2 specific funds.
- NIWE time-critical primary industries recovery fund: $30 million to support the recovery of primary sector businesses and rural communities to boost health and safety and protect animal welfare following Cyclone Gabrielle.
- NIWE isolated rural communities recovery fund: $5.4 million to support the wellbeing of rural communities isolated by the weather events, including Cyclone Gabrielle.
The funding was available to all parts of the primary industries, including horticulture, agriculture, fisheries, and forestry. The fund is now closed.
Silt and debris removal
The Government provided funding to support the management and removal of silt and debris across Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti. There was funding:
- to help councils process and dispose of debris coming from residential properties, and to deal with sediment on council land to make it available to the public again
- for commercial properties (including farmers and growers) to help clean up their land and return to profit, and
- for debris and sediment removal from whenua Māori.
For commercial properties, funding was provided through local councils in the form of grants.
Applications for the Sediment and Silt Recovery Fund in Hawke’s Bay are now closed.
Silt collection and waste – Hawkes Bay Regional Council
Support to help with the clean-up of cyclone-related sediment and debris in Tairāwhiti was available in several funding rounds. Applications are now closed.
Tairāwhiti sediment and debris application – Gisborne District Council
For whenua Māori owners, Te Puni Kōkiri managed the funds. Applications are now closed.
Whenua Māori sediment and debris management package – Te Puni Kōkiri | Ministry of Māori Development
Business support package
A package of financial support was developed to provide relief to growers, farmers and businesses.
- The loan guarantee scheme administered by the New Zealand Export Credit Office, and implemented by commercial lenders, such as banks.
- The North Island Weather Events Primary Producer Finance Scheme was administered by Kānoa, Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit.
Applications have now closed.
North Island Weather Events Loan Guarantee Scheme – Te Tai Ōhanga | The Treasury
North Island Weather Events Primary Producer Finance Scheme – Kānoa
Other support and financial help
Help with delivery of critical farm supplies and mustering of livestock
MPI provided additional support for isolated communities following Cyclone Gabrielle:
- Operation Outreach - worked with farm supply companies and vets in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti to ensure critical supplies got to communities with no road access.
- Operation Muster – worked with Hawke’s Bay farmers to coordinate the movement of livestock where there was limited road access.
Cyclone recovery support for fishing, aquaculture and forestry
Government grants for seafood and forestry businesses of up to $40,000 were made available in 7 regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and the January floods in the North Island. Applications for grants have closed.
