Government announces financial aid for flood-hit Coasters
The government has pledged $300,000 dollars to help the sodden Buller district, as 1000 people in Westport are unable to return home.
A further $100,000 will be provided to the Marlborough District, which has also been hit hard by flooding.
Alongside that, the event has been classified a medium-scale adverse event, unlocking another $200,000 for flood-affected farmers and growers across the West Coast and Marlborough regions.
Acting Minister for Emergency Management Kris Faafoi said the money will be provided through mayoral relief funds.
"While it is too early to know the full cost of the damage, we expect it to be significant and this contribution will help communities to start to get back on their feet," Faafoi said.
He said Buller, Marlborough and Tasman had endured a "disruptive and distressing" event.
"This has been a massive effort with multiple agencies working across a range of areas," he said, praising those who were helping on the frontline with the response.
He said in Westport there are still about 1000 people who remain evacuated.
Faafoi acknowledged that a big cleanup and recovery effort lies ahead for communities affected by the flooding and he promised more government help would be on its way.