Mr Twyford said the $28m redeployment package was aimed at ensuring the Tairawhiti workforce would be able to take advantage of the market picking up at the end of the crisis.
(There is also a $16m package to boost wood processing production.)
“We want businesses to stay in business and workers to stay in work.”
The package would keep 300 people in work.
Mr Twyford said they were “real jobs being paid with real money”.
“We can't save every job and we can't save every firm.
“This is probably the greatest economic shock that our country has faced since the Second World War.”
Mayor Rehette Stoltz said the council was grateful for the Government's announcement.
The district's need was real.
About a month ago local (Labour list) MP Kiri Allan was invited to the Covid-19 mayoral forum as the crisis worsened in Tairawhiti.
She attended the Thursday meeting and Mr Twyford was in Gisborne the next Tuesday, said Mrs Stoltz.
Yesterday's announcement was a “massive package”.
“Iwi, local government, industry, business, have all come together.”
Council staff needed “a big shout out” for their effort, including looking at work that could be brought forward, “but that we didn't have the money for”.
Eastland Wood Council chief executive Kim Holland said the district was at “the front of the Covid-19 impact”.
The $12 billion economic package announced by the government earlier in the week had already saved jobs in Tairawhiti, she said.
Forestry would get through the crisis and would still need skilled labour.
Ms Allan said she had been “incredibly impressed by our Tairawhiti leadership”.
“They have come together with the sole focus of supporting workers and the industry during this very challenging time.
“Their work has been immeasurable.”
After being approached by and meeting the mayoral forum, Mr Twyford had responded with urgency.
“Ikaroa-Rawhiti Labour MP Meka Whaitiri and I then hosted Minister Twyford in Gisborne and Tolaga Bay.
“He met with Mayor Rehette Stoltz and the regional leadership group who made very clear to the Government how severe the economic impacts would be to our region.
“The Minister also met with workers and contractors and service providers who provided first-hand insights into the effects of job losses.”
Ms Allan said she was grateful to her government colleagues, cabinet ministers Mr Twyford, Shane Jones and Willie Jackson who had pooled their resources together through Economic Development, Forestry, Regional Development and Employment to provide “a tailored and fit-for-purpose package for the region”.
Ms Whaitiri said Tairawhiti was a tough and resilient region going through tough times.
She endorsed both the packages and local Tairawhiti leaders who had played significant roles and were role models for other regions during the pandemic.
