The Government will shell out $250 million to help Waka Kotahi and local councils assess and fix roads.

The funding is part of an interim emergency relief package for regions hit by Cyclone Gabrielle and the January floods.

On top of roading relief, the package includes $50 million to deliver interim emergency business and primary sector support, and Inland Revenue support including interest write-offs, tax concessions for donated trading stock and extension of R&D Tax Incentive filing deadlines.

“I saw first-hand the devastation in the Hawke’s Bay yesterday and I know other areas have also been hit hard,” Finance Minister Grant Robertson said.

“As finance minister I have been clear that we have the fiscal headroom to support our people and we will do that as we have done through all the other disasters we have guided this country through.

“[The] announcement is a further step in our response to provide support as we get a clearer picture of the damage and the costs to each region.”

Transport Minister Michael Wood said the roading network has been hit hard in cyclone and flood-affected areas,” Michael Wood said.

“Immediate short-term funding is required to help Waka Kotahi and financially constrained local authorities get New Zealand’s essential transport network operating again. Cabinet has agreed to an immediate $250 million for these emergency works,” he said.

“Our primary focus is on getting lifeline roads open and reconnecting isolated communities.

“Over the last week contractors have worked tirelessly in very challenging conditions to clear slips, remove debris and carry out vital geotechnical safety inspections at dozens of affected sites. To these contractors we say thank you.

“We have a large job ahead to determine the extent of which State and local roads can be rebuilt and which cannot or should not be replaced. This medium and long-term work will take time and require additional funding over and above that announced today.,” Robertson said ministers will finalise the distribution of the funding in the coming week, but this will include support to businesses to meet immediate costs and further assist with clean-up.

“We will coordinate the allocation of this funding with local business groups, iwi and local government in the affected regions.

“The Government recognises the weather events are having an impact on people and businesses meeting their tax obligations, so we are taking a range of tax relief measures as well.”

This support comes on top of a range of assistance provided to people and businesses via:

• Mayoral Relief Funds: $3.35 million has been dispersed in the Tairāwhiti, Hawke’s Bay, Thames-Coromandel and Auckland regions, with further requests expected
• Civil Defence Payments: More than $28.4 million of Civil Defence Payments have been made to approximately 57,000 people
• The Primary Sector Response: An initial $4 million has been made available through MPI
• Community and Social support: A $11.5 million package for NGOs and community groups to provide immediate support
• Initial support for the Upper North Island flooding: An initial $5 million business support fund for those largely in Auckland affected by the floods in January.