OPINION: Four weeks ago, I married my best friend Phil at a beach near New Plymouth, where we first met more than 30 years ago. The past two weeks in particular, have been incredibly difficult for many in Southland, with two major floods hitting in quick succession. READ MORE:* State of emergency extended* Civil Defence Minister announces further relief funding for Southland* Southland flooding aftermathBut equally, the Southland community has stepped up to look after its own, with a well-coordinated civil defence response and churches, marae, neighbours and friends opening their doors to those evacuated from their homes. Civil Defence Minister Peeni Henare visited Mataura two days later, and announced $100,000 for the Southland Mayoral Fund. This is in addition to the millions in extra funding that was announced for Southland schools last year as part of the school infrastructure package.

Source: Stuff February 12, 2020 00:11 UTC