Wellington: The New Zealand government says it will allocate $NZ1.1 billion ($1.03 billion) to help communities recover from a cyclone and floods that lashed the country this year. The funds from the 2023 budget are to cover “basics” of rebuilding roads, rail and schools, as well as flood protection, it said in a statement. People stand on a rooftop of a home waiting to be winched to safety by helicopter in the Esk Valley, near Napier, New Zealand, in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle. Credit: APCyclone Gabrielle devastated parts of the North Island in February, killing 11, after flash floods prompted by record-breaking rainfall hit the country’s biggest city, Auckland, in January. Treasury estimated the damage from the two extreme weather events could hit $NZ14.5 billion, second behind only the 2011 earthquakes that severely damaged the city of Christchurch.

Source: Stuff May 14, 2023 05:48 UTC