Photo: RNZ / Kate Green
Gisborne's Mayor says the latest Government plan for storm and cyclone-stricken homeowners is a relief and offers some certainty.
In a joint initiative with councils, buyouts will be offered to people whose land is too unsafe to build on.
There's also money to pay for flood mitigation and protection work required ahead of rebuilds.
It is estimated around 700 homes will have to be abandoned, with as many as 10,000 homeowners awaiting remediation before building can start.
In Gisborne, 17 homes have been condemned.
Mayor Rehette Stoltz spoke to Ingris Hipkiss this morning.
