© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: A view of flood damage in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle in HawkeÕs Bay, New Zealand, in this image released on February 15, 2023. New Zealand Defense Force/Handout via REUTERS
by Lewis Jackson
SYDNEY (Reuters) – New Zealand will launch an international fundraising appeal for the massive rebuilding work needed after Cyclone Gabrielle hit the north of the country earlier this month, forcing thousands to take shelter and killing eleven .
The appeal will fund longer-term recovery projects and will target wealthy expatriates, businesses and anyone with an affection for New Zealand, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said on Monday. Facebook (NASDAQ:) owner Meta has offered to further the appeal, he added.
“One of the things we know from past events is that there are people abroad with very strong connections to New Zealand who want to be able to make a contribution,” Hipkins said at a news conference announcing the initiative.
The appeal will be modeled after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake fundraiser, which raised more than NZ$94 million ($57.94 million).
Cyclone Gabrielle hit the North Island of New Zealand on February 12, destroying roads and bridges, leaving tens of thousands without electricity in an area that represents a third of the country. Police are still looking for 4 missing people.
A national state of emergency, only the third declared in the country’s history, will continue in cyclone-affected regions.
Hipkins said the government was considering “all options” to pay for the rebuilding, which is forecast to cost similar to the NZ$13.5 billion spent after the Christchurch earthquake.
The government is under pressure to avoid spending that could worsen inflation after New Zealand’s central bank raised interest rates to the highest level in 14 years and announced more hikes to come.
($1 = 1.6223 New Zealand dollars)