A view of flood damage in the the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, in this picture released on February 15 2023. Picture: NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCE/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS
The cyclone hit the North Island’s northernmost region on February 12 and tracked down the east coast, inflicting widespread destruction. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has called Gabrielle New Zealand’s biggest natural disaster this century. Earlier on Monday finance minister Grant Robertson said the total cost to government could be similar to the NZ$13.5bn it spent rebuilding Christchurch after the devastating 2011 earthquake.The interim package provides NZ$250m to fix critical roads across disaster hit regions, and a further NZ$50m in emergency support was set aside for businesses and primary producers. More relief and rebuilding funding from the government is expected.
Police have confirmed 11 deaths in circumstances related to the cyclone, most of those have been in Hawke’s Bay in the North Island. About 2,200 people are still unaccounted for.