Financial support

Temporary Accommodation Assistance

Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) provides a Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) to support people who are unable to live in their accommodation due to an emergency event such as Cyclone Gabrielle.

To stay in temporary accommodation provided by TAS, households enter into an agreement with MBIE. These agreements include a requirement for households to make weekly part-payments. The part-payments cover a portion of the cost of the accommodation people are currently staying in, while the remaining cost is covered by MBIE.

For more information on TAS, visit Temporary Accommodation Service.

MSD can also assist with financial support through their Temporary Accommodation Assistance (TAA).  This help is not income or asset tested and has been extended until 30 June 2025.   We know some people impacted by these weather events are having to cover costs on their uninhabitable homes, like mortgage payments, rates, and insurance, while also paying for temporary accommodation.  This assistance can help bridge the gap until repairs are undertaken or a decision is made on the future of your property.

The eligibility criteria for the Temporary Accommodation Assistance has now been expanded to include:

• People whose homes are uninhabitable but did not receive a red or yellow placard from their council.
• People who don’t have insurance for their affected property for reasons outside of their control but had taken reasonable steps to get cover.
• People whose temporary accommodation was not previously eligible, such as flats and house sharing agreements, hire agreements for cabins, mobile homes or caravans, lodging or boarding arrangements, or commercial accommodation.

For more information on, visit Temporary Accommodation Assistance - Work and Income.

Te Whatu Ora – Hauora and Wellbeing Package

Te Whatu Ora is providing a Hauora and Wellbeing package for individuals and households unable to live in their home (Categories 2 and 3) due to Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke’s Bay. The package is valid from January 15 to early 2025, and includes:

1. Two GP and two nurse consultations
2. One emergency after-hours consultation
3. Pharmacy advice and treatment for minor conditions
4. Up to seven counselling sessions (face-to-face or online)
5. Practice Plus Telehealth (online doctor or nurse consults) available through Māori hauora providers
6. Free rongoā through listed Māori hauora

 Residents eligible for this package can contact Hastings District Council at (06) 871 5000  to receive a letter confirming the status of their property.

This letter can then be forwarded to their Hawke’s Bay General Practice or Māori hauora provider. It is recommended they inform the provider of their eligibility as soon as possible, ideally before needing a consultation. They must show the letter to access these services. If GP access is challenging, online Practice Plus consultations and counselling are encouraged. For minor conditions, individuals can seek free advice and treatment from their pharmacy. Questions can be directed to Health Hawke’s Bay by email: info@healthhb.co.nz.

For further information please visit the Te Whatu Ora website:  Reach out - Hawkes Bay District Health Board – Our Health (ourhealthhb.nz) 

New Zealand Claims Resolution Service

The New Zealand Claims Resolution Service provides free advice, engineering, legal and wellbeing support. Register with them by calling 0508 624 327. If you are a tenant, you can get more information about your rights and obligations after a natural disaster at www.tenancy.govt.nz.