Hon Kris Faafoi
The Government is contributing a further $1 million to help the flood battered Buller community, Acting Emergency Management Minister Kris Faafoi announced today.
“Buller is a small community which has found itself suddenly facing significant and ongoing welfare costs. While many emergency welfare costs are reimbursed by Government, this money will be made available to the district council for immediate use,” Kris Faafoi said.
“The council has been providing services to around 2000 people affected by the fierce downpour and expects continued support, especially for those unable to return to their homes, is likely to be needed for at least another fortnight, and possibly longer.
ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF
George Jenkins, from Kāpiti hapū Puketapu, on what the land at Kāpiti Coast Airport means to him and other descendants of the original owners, who are fighting to get it back. (First published September 2020)
Government ministers have been asked to intervene to secure the uncertain future of Kāpiti Airport, with local mayors raising concerns that a closure could hamper the response to emergencies. Worried about speculation that the airport s owners planned to close it, Porirua Mayor Anita Baker, Kāpiti Mayor K Gurunathan and representatives from the Save Kāpiti Airport group and Kāpiti Aero Club met with Transport Minister Michael Wood on Tuesday morning to request his support for keeping the airport open.