Backing to help businesses after cyclone impacts

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Regional economic development agency Trust Tairāwhiti has been central to cyclone-recovery efforts for businesses here.
“Our first priority was standing up the Business Hub with Starlink internet to enable businesses to be able to process wages, invoicing or any other important admin while internet connectivity was down,” Trust Tairāwhiti economic development general manager Richard Searle said.
“More than 300 businesses came through the hub. We brought together agencies including IRD and MSD to work out of the hub to provide support and information to businesses.”
The trust also hosted a series of hui across several sectors, some attended by Minister and East Coast MP Kiri Allan, to provide initial updates and help coordinate the regional response.
“We’ve been working with local sectors on redeployment of RSEs and supporting forestry crews to get started where possible.
“We also worked with Eastland Port to initiate a coastal shipping service and worked with Air NZ to offer a temporary service between Gisborne and Napier while the roads are severely damaged. 
“Another focus has been working with local partners to enable emergency or temporary housing for families with red- or yellow-stickered houses.
“We participated in an East Coast roadshow with key partners to provide information and support for businesses on the Coast. 
“The main focus over the past few weeks has been getting money out to businesses through the business support grant programme. Trust Tairāwhiti is the local delivery agency for the Government’s business support grants, so our priority has been getting the application process up and running and funds paid to businesses as quickly as possible.
“There has been huge demand for these grants and the first tranche of funding was very quickly oversubscribed. 
“We have continually been providing data to the Government about the demand for business grants. (On March 15) the Finance Minister announced a further $25 million in grants for cyclone-affected regions around New Zealand.”