KEY POINTS:
More Taskforce Green teams are being mobilised in Northland as one mayoral flood relief fund makes final grants to needy applicants after the region's two big storms in March and last month.
The mayoral relief fund in Whangarei set up after the March 29 flood totalled just over
$52,000 by the time applications for help closed at the end of June.
Whangarei Mayor Pamela Peters said the fund got 28 applications and, after each case was examined, 16 residents were allocated financial help.
Money went to those who suffered significant domestic hardship as a result of the flooding, especially people with no way of being compensated for loss or damage to their homes.
"We haven't spent all the money yet and we're still reviewing several cases," Mrs Peters said.
The Lion Foundation contributed $50,000 and has now allowed the relief assistance panel to carry some money through to needy victims of last month's storms.
"We may yet decide to do that," Mrs Peters said.
A rates relief package is also being offered.
Applications for help from a $100,000-plus Northland-wide flood relief fund set up after last month's storm are to be called for within the next month after allocation criteria are finalised.
Meanwhile, the Government has launched an "enhanced" Taskforce Green package worth $500,000 through Work and Income to help with clean-up work and it could benefit residential property owners.
More teams - a chainsaw-and-shovel labour force - are being hired and trained and may be available to help clean up storm debris on residential properties.
A Work and Income spokesman said crews might be able to help householders who were uninsured or whose insurance company was not going to pay out on a claim.
Teams might also help out if residents could not physically clear debris from their property and the damage was interfering with their quality of life.
The spokesman said this help was in addition to Taskforce Green assistance already available to Northland farmers, orchardists and growers.
A spokesman for Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker said the Government did not given any money to the mayoral relief fund after the March 29 storm. However, recovery efforts included the "enhanced" Taskforce Green package, which meant the Government paid workers' wages and councils were reimbursed for any welfare and public safety costs.
The Government also paid all council costs associated with housing and moving people displaced by floodwaters.
Where council roads were damaged in both storms, the Government would pay at least 56 per cent of repair costs in the Far North district and 52 per cent in Whangarei.
Anyone wanting Taskforce Green help should contact the Whangarei, Far North or Kaipara district councils.
Donations to the Northland-wide mayoral relief fund for people affected by the July storm can be made through any BNZ branch to account number 02-1257-0011199-00.
