VISITOR numbers to Wanganui have been on the rise ... boosted by an influx of politicians in the wake of the floods and culminating with Friday's arrival of Prime Minister John Key and entourage.
Inevitably there were the usual platitudes among the soundbites from the powers-that-be, but there was alsoa sense of duty and a sense of concern and it would be over-cynical to dismiss these visits as PR exercises.
However, soothing words will not repair the massive damage done to the Wanganui and Rangitikei districts, and the Government has to put its hand in its pocket.
With an initial estimate of $120 million for the cost of the catastrophe - an estimate that is likely to rise - the bill for getting the region back on its feet will be well beyond the capacity of local coffers.
It was an exceptional event that has prompted an exceptional response at local level, and now we need an exceptional response from central government. Some money has already gone into rural relief funds but, as Mr Key said on Friday, "it is hard to believe we won't be doing more".
Our roads have taken a pounding and getting that sort of vital infrastructure back in full working order will be crucial to the economic recovery. The automatic 20 per cent increase in the funding assistance rate, triggered by the emergency, will help, but Transport Minister Simon Bridges suggested that might be it. He needs to think again. Whatever its political hue, a government's duty of care to its citizens is paramount.
If it can find money for hair straighteners and a few million to compensate a Saudi businessman who doesn't like our laws, then it can find the money to aid our region's recovery.
