PM acknowledges tension between quick fixes and repairs for long term

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins at the SH35 bypass road when he visited the district on Thursday. From left, Louise Soloman (contracts administration), Mr Hipkins, Hayden Stuart (supervisor), Ricky Kuru (Kuru Contracting owner), Len Lloyd (Civil manager), East Coast MP Kiri Allan and Tony Campbell (supervisor Kuru Contracting). Picture by Liam Clayton

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says he is firmly resolved to supporting the “resilient” people of Tairawhiti in flood recovery.

He made a quick visit to the region on Thursday including meeting roading contractors near Tolaga Bay and visiting LeaderBrand.

He denied the region had been forgotten.

This was his third visit to Gisborne since Cyclone Gabrielle and he had lost count of the number of visits he had made to Hawke’s Bay.

Mr Hipkins said Cyclone Gabrielle had led to one of the most severe weather events in the country’s history.

The Government would lead the response and “follow it through”.

The public wanted to know if the Government would “walk alongside them on that journey”. It would be a long journey, with “stress and strains along the way”,  he said.

There were immediate issues such as roading.

The Hikuwai Bridge will open next week but the Prime Minister is not expected to attend because of  a clash of engagements.

Mr Hipkins said rebuilding would be a long process with Bailey bridges and temporary roads built to get lifelines open quickly.

The Government wanted to rebuild quickly and with resilience, but there could be tension between the two.

Building proper bridges was not an overnight process.

Mr Hipkins said short term resilience was important, but in the long term infrastructure  had to be built better.

“No one should be living with the uncertainty that every time there is heavy rain, a large part of the infrastructure is washed out.”

The Government was still working through the recommendations from the Tairawhiti land-use inquiry.

No decisions had yet been made.

That included the recommendation that commisssioners take over resource management responsibilities.

Various cabinet ministers would look for “quick wins” with things that needed to be done.

Mr Hipkins was asked about the Emissions Trading Scheme encouraging forestry, and farm sales to forestry interests, and the Resource Management Act.

He said there were other issues that needed a more detailed response.

That process was under way and the public would start to “see action and the longer term direction in which we ‘re going”.

Mr Hipkins said Labour would field a strong candidate in Ikaroa-Rāwhiti following the defection of Meka Whaitiri to Te Pāti Māori.

Ikaroa-Rāwhiti had been very good and loyal to Labour.

“In my travels I’ve detected a sense of disappointment in Meka’s decision.”

Labour would compete vigorously and wanted to retain the seat.

He expected Kiri Allan to retain East Coast.

“She’s working so hard and has been such a passionate and tireless advocate for East Coast.

“It’s been a tough gig in the East Coast for the last three years and that’s one reason why she’s held in such high esteem.”

■ The Prime Minister was updated on progress with LeaderBrand’s new $15 million greenhouse during his trip to Gisborne this week.

Funded by a Provincial Growth Fund loan, the project will be New Zealand’s largest undercover greenhouse.

Mr Hipkins said many of the PGF projects were coming to fruition.

LeaderBrand’s greenhouse was very close to being fully functional, he said.