The NZ Government has announced it will provide buybacks for a small group of homeowners within the Nelson region, pending an agreement with the local council.  

The region was last year hit with severe flooding and landslide events following powerful storms that forced nearly 1200 residents to evacuate. Toku Tu Ake EQC says residents filed 45 claims with it in relation to the event.   

NZ Cyclone Recovery and Finance Minister Grant Robertson says the buybacks will be available for the owners of 14 properties within the local region, which have been identified to hold too high a landslide risk and cost to return home.  

“For a small number of Nelson homeowners, the impacts from last August’s severe weather event have been similar to those affected by the North Island Weather Events,” Mr Robertson said.   

“I asked officials to consider proposals from Nelson City Council to support those affected that are consistent with the approach taken by the Government to support the regions affected by flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle.”  

Mr Robertson says the government expects to contribute upwards of $NZ6 million ($5.53 million) for the buybacks, with the cost equally shared with the local council.  

He also announced further funding to remediate costs associated with significant landslips impacting private properties as well as investment in specialised equipment to monitor the Tahunanui Slump, an area within Nelson that typically moves about 10cm every year.  

“Overall, the Government will contribute $12.3 million to support Nelson’s recovery and provide certainty to those affected so they can move on with their lives,” Mr Robertson said.  

“We will also consider a contribution to funding of the replacement of storm water systems in Nelson in the future.”