An international fundraising drive, similar to what happened after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, has been launched following the devastating impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle.

It’s anticipated that the clean-up costs from the recent severe weather could surge into the billions and prime minister Chris Hipkins, speaking at parliament, said this new appeal would allow people to help out.

“We will be looking to attract international donations to supplement the generosity of New Zealanders,” Hipkins said. Asked whether a fundraising appeal was the right approach, given we are in a cost of living crisis, Hipkins said he knew there were people abroad with strong connections to New Zealand. And, he said, the appeal would allow people to make “micro-donations”.

People can text GIVE to 2454 to donate $3 to the cyclone appeal. There is also an internet banking option (Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Fund, 03 0251 0040146 00) and over the counter options at all trading banks.

A special trust will oversee the appeal, which will focus on medium to longer term recovery projects. “As we saw in Christchurch it’s the facilities where people come together which so often need the most help. Be it sports clubs, marae or community halls there is huge need across multiple affected regions.”

And on March 18 there will be a special Lotto draw, with all proceeds going to the cyclone recovery. Asked about the fact Lotto tickets were disproportionately purchased by lower income New Zealanders, the prime minister said the important thing was that all funds would be helping with the cyclone clean-up. People would be buying Lotto tickets regardless of the appeal, he said.

Hipkins confirmed the nationwide state of emergency will continue, particularly focused on Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay. Other regions will move into a transition stage within the coming days.

There were now just eight sections of the state highway still closed following the cyclone. About 80 people remained in Civil Defence shelters, with four people still unaccounted for. That’s down from about 7,000 in the days after the cyclone, which Hipkins called a “remarkable” effort by police.

More than 40,000 insurance claims have been registered, with as many as 1,800 households in Auckland alone potentially needing temporary accommodation. “I’m committed… to standing shoulder to shoulder with the affected regions. We’ll back them and partner with them to lead their local responses,” Hipkins said.

Meanwhile, the prime minister confirmed the Census will go ahead on March 7 – but that follow-up activity in the regions would be extended as a result of the cyclone.

Hipkins also paid tribute to former minister Chester Borrows who has died at the age of 65. “I always found him to be a really honest straight shooter, someone I really enjoyed working with… and an all round decent bloke,” Hipkins said.

The prime minister is about to front a post-cabinet press conference from parliament. It’s expected he’ll reveal whether or not the nationwide state of emergency gets pushed out by another week.

Thanks to Stuff, you can tune in below.

A child under the age of 10 has died from Covid-19 – one of 40 new deaths being added to the official pandemic toll.

Of the latest deaths, the Ministry of Health has reported that eight have so far been directly attributed to Covid-19. A person in their 20s and someone in their 30s were also among the latest fatalities.

The average number of new cases being reported each day has risen to 1,279, with 9,100 officially confirmed over the past seven days.

There are now 200 people in hospital with the virus, including three in intensive care.

The ex-MP for Whanganui, Chester Borrows, has died at the age of 65-years-old after being diagnosed last year with cancer.

It had been reported over the weekend that Borrows’ family were at his bedside after his condition rapidly deteriorated.

Borrows was a minister in the John Key government, holding positions that included deputy speaker of the house. He retired from politics in 2017.

Key told the Herald that Borrows was a “unique politician” with strongly held convictions. “He voiced his opinion and supported causes because he knew it was right even if not always popular with his caucus or the party faithful,” Key said.

“He had the ability to have enduring relations with both sides of the House and will be someone that will be deeply mourned by all political parties.”

Late last year, Borrows was in the news after labelling the National Party bootcamp policy a cliche. 

Former caucus colleague Paula Bennett added that Borrows was a good friend to many at parliament. “He loved most of all to fight for the marginalised and unfairness. He was good on the karaoke and a genuine good bloke.

“He married my husband and I on the beach in Piha and always stayed in touch and cared about us and our family.”

The number of people uncontactable following Cyclone Gabrielle has dropped to just four, police have confirmed.

Little detail has been provided by police, but it’s likely that those four people still unaccounted for are on the East Coast of the North Island. A further update is expected later in the day.

Meanwhile, police have provided a crime update following concerns of illegal activity in the wake of the severe weather.

In the 24 hours to 7pm yesterday, police in the eastern district conducted 502 “prevention activities”, including reassurance patrols and proactive engagements with storm-hit communities.

Over the same period, there were 492 calls for service, including 10 reports of burglaries, four unlawful taking of motor vehicles, and 54 family harm incidents. So far, 25 people have been arrested for a variety of offences – 13 in Hawke’s Bay and 12 in Tairawhiti. Offences include serious assault, disorder and theft.

MediaWorks boss Cam Wallace has quit, two years after taking up the role.

According to the Herald, the interim chief executive will be Wendy Palmer, a former radio boss at NZME.

Wallace moved from Air New Zealand in 2020 to take over MediaWorks. He’s overseen the company’s move away from the Newshub television brand and the launch of talk network Today FM.

The Spinoff has reached out to Wallace for more information.

Listen: In 2021 – three months into his role – Wallace spoke to Duncan Greive on The Fold

As the Herald’s Claire Trevett reports, a government service to find accommodation for the thousands waiting for their homes to be repaired after Cyclone Gabrielle will kick in from Northland to Hawkes Bay this morning. People can register on the Temporary Accommodation Services website or by calling 0508 754 163.

The numbers registering for the service will give the government a better picture of just how many people are displaced and how many homes need rebuilding or repairs. It was estimated that 10,000 people had been displaced by the cyclone but many will be staying with friends and family. Early estimates suggest 1,200 to 1,800 households in the affected regions will need the service while their own homes are repaired or rebuilt and it may require the construction of temporary “villages” of modular housing, or relocated tiny homes and cabins.

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With the clean-up from Cyclone Gabrielle in full swing, some locals worst affected by the severe weather will now have a challenging question ahead of them. Do they rebuild? Or do they get out?

The cyclone recovery minister Grant Robertson said that question is going to need to be answered, by many, in the days and weeks ahead. Writing for The Spinoff this morning, geologist Ursula Cochrain said that New Zealand now has an opportunity. “Our chance to step back and think about where it’s sensible to live in this country,” she said.

In areas like Auckland’s Muriwai, it’s been reported that as many as a third of all houses could be uninhabitable. In short, the shape of the entire community will be changed by the cyclone.

Speaking to RNZ, Robertson said that insurance companies would generally come in and do the repairs as quickly as possible. “The question is: is that a good idea?” he asked.

“Not everyone feels the same way and even in a community where some people want to leave and others don’t. These are the challenging the conversations New Zealand’s going to need to have on a quite widespread basis.”

In the very short term, there are “a number of areas” where we’re going to have to sit down with insurers, banks, and local communities and work out what the next steps are. That will involve both immediate work and a longer policy plan, said Robertson.

Lessons learned after the Christchurch quake were already being put into action, he added, including the way immediate claims are dealt with, where the insurance companies lead on that.

“The most important thing is listening to local community about what they need and having that drive our response,” said Robertson. “We’re learning a lot from people… we know what the priorities are, we just have to get on with them.”