By Lauren Crimp of RNZ
In his first week on the job, new Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell is visiting cyclone and flood-ravaged regions to hear what they need from the Government.
Mayors in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti told RNZ on Tuesday they wanted Mitchell to board a plane and see for himself the mountain of work that still lay ahead following Cyclone Gabrielle.
Mitchell confirmed he would meet with mayors and other leaders in Gisborne on Friday, Hawke’s Bay next week, and Auckland and Northland the week after.
But he stopped short of granting some of their Christmas wishes, such as money for removing silt and debris in Hastings, or fixing roads in Wairoa.