New Zealanders displaced by extreme weather that struck the North Island in May will receive an interim payment when their insurance payments for temporary accommodation run out.  

It will be made weekly by the government and directly to homeowners from September 4, matching average rents. 

The payment, known as North Island Weather Events – Temporary Accommodation Assistance, will “help bridge the gap until repairs are undertaken or a decision is made on the future of their property,” Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni said.  

“The government has prioritised setting up this payment now as payments from insurers for temporary accommodation start to run out and the future for some people’s homes remain uncertain.”   

Ms Sepuloni says New Zealand’s weather impacted regions have been granted a new support package, with a $NZ20.65 million ($19.06 million) first round to support people who own land that has been classified as risk level Category 2 and 3, and for community workers suffering burnout, students who have missed school, and to build resilience and preparedness for future events.  

“We have learnt lessons following the Canterbury earthquakes ... and want to emphasise the importance of work focused on long-term recovery from large scale disasters,” Ms Sepuloni said. “The psychosocial effects of disasters are very real. 

“We are investing not only in the immediate recovery of these regions, but in the longer-term livelihoods of all those affected.” 

A $NZ30 million ($27.69 million) contingency was secured through the Budget 2023 North Island Weather Events Response and Recovery Package which will support implementation of the recovery plan, which helps coordinate cross-agency actions for two years.