The Government’s Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) has been activated to support residents affected by Cyclone Gabrielle, Housing Minister, Megan Woods, has announced today.
This includes people in:
- Te Tai Tokerau (Northland)
- Tairāwhiti (Gisborne)
- Te Moana a Toi (Bay of Plenty)
- Te Matau-a-Māui (Hawke’s Bay)
- Waikato
- Tararua District
“TAS is now accepting registrations from those who cannot return to their homes and need assistance finding temporary accommodation in regions affected outside of Auckland,” Dr Woods said.
“Working closely with local authorities, TAS have been assessing the damage in affected regions, and establishing how many homes have been affected, and what the longer-term need may be.”
Initial estimates show between 1,200 and 1,800 households in Auckland alone may need temporary accommodation.
“The TAS team will work with everyone who cannot return to their homes due to Cyclone Gabrielle to find available accommodation. I urge anyone who needs their help to register their details by applying online at www.tas.mbie.govt.nz or by calling 0508 754 163.”
“The severity and close timing of these weather events means that TAS is having to stand-up its largest and fastest responses to date.
“TAS has been scaling up, preparing and planning to meet this response but with a natural disaster of this magnitude affecting so many households and so much infrastructure, this may take time.”
Options for accommodation include hotels, motels, motor lodges, and portable accommodation, as happened following the Christchurch and Kaikoura earthquakes, the West Coast flooding in July 2021 and Nelson/Marlborough floods of August last year.
“As people begin to register with the service, TAS will work with households to understand their specific needs and find temporary accommodation options that suit. Our first priority is to find warm, dry and secure accommodation for people,” the Minister said.
“TAS continues to support Aucklanders following the recent flooding event and Cyclone Gabrielle.
“This is a significant event for New Zealand, and there are many people who are profoundly affected by it with the loss of their homes or severe damage. TAS will work as quickly as it can to find appropriate accommodation for those who need it as a result of these weather events,” she said.
