Hon Chris Bishop
Minister of Transport

North Island communities still building back after the 2023 weather events will get extra funding to complete recovery works on local roads, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.

“Last year’s Budget invested nearly $1 billion into recovery and resilience projects in regions hit by Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland Anniversary weekend floods.

“The Government remains committed to the communities working to rebuild lives and neighbourhoods. This Budget provides $219 million additional funding to help get these local roads repaired as quickly as possible.

“The NZ Transport Agency will distribute the funds to local councils to complete recovery works across affected local roads. This work is vital to restoring access to goods, services and employment opportunities to impacted communities in the North Island.”

Five councils will likely receive a share of the $219 million, across a three-year period from 2026/27:

• Central Hawke’s Bay District Council
• Gisborne District Council
• Hastings District Council
• Napier City Council
• Wairoa District Council

“This initiative provides certainty for councils that the Crown has made funding available to complete recovery works that allow them to budget appropriately for 2026/27 onwards.

“The Government remains committed to supporting people in affected communities to move on with their lives and look to the future.

“A resilient transport network in the East Coast and Hawke’s Bay regions will help deliver the infrastructure communities need to grow their businesses, get their kids to school, and ensure goods get from A to B efficiently.”

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