New Zealand / Weather

Tasman district bill for cyclone damage likely $12m

19:26 pm on 3 April 2018

The Tasman District Council says the bill for repairing cyclone-damaged public infrastructure will be close to $12 million.

Slips on the Takaka Hill road after Cyclone Gita Photo: NZTA

Two ex-tropical cyclones struck the top of the South Island in February, causing widespread damage to homes, roads, bridges, and public reserves.

Teams of welfare staff and volunteers have since visited 630 properties in Tasman and Nelson city, with more than 30 residents still considered vulnerable, seven of whom are high priority.

Riwaka resident Katie Ferguson, who was forced to evacuate with her husband and young family, said Red Cross had visited them several times since.

"I feel so lucky we've got that available to us ... they just checked up on us, made sure we were okay, gave us some information, they also called back two or three times just to make sure everyone was okay."

The state highway over the Takaka Hill was among the worst affected by slips, and repairs are being managed by the Transport Agency.