Hundreds of homes were damaged in Hawke's Bay by Cyclone Gabrielle. Photo: RNZ/ Nick Monro
More than half of Hawke's Bay residents with cyclone-damaged homes have been moved from the higher-risk categories 2 and 3 to the lower-risk category 1.
The land categories - which were announced on 1 June - have been used to determine which houses are safe to live in.
Hawke's Bay Regional Council chair Hinewai Ormsby said the release of more than 1200 residents from provisional category 2 and 3 classifications is a huge step forward for the region.
"The regional council and its contractors worked tirelessly to repair the breaches of the region's flood protection network following the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle," she said.
"This is hugely important work that has been completed at pace in order to help the region move forward with its recovery. Our teams continue to work to restore the flood protection network."
Hinewai Ormsby. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Ormsby said "we have worked hard to preserve options for property owners, believing that they want options, and we are working hard to provide certainty for people".
Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said while progress had been made, there was still a huge amount of work to be done.
"For the more than 600 Hastings residents who now find themselves in category 1, there is no doubt a huge sense of relief in being able to move on with recovery and to move forward with their lives.
"We cannot lose sight, however, of the uncertainty that remains for a significant number of residents whose homes and communities are still in provisional category 2 and category 3 areas."
She said negotiations with central government around the voluntary buyout process and further funding support continue to be progressed so all the people of Hawke's Bay could move forward.
Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Alex Walker said while there was still significant work to be done, it was positive that more than 400 of Central Hawke's Bay's hardest-hit residents were now able to move on with their lives.
"Our focus remains on supporting our most impacted communities and further hui are taking place over the coming weeks, to answer questions, discuss needs, and make plans. We are all in this together, and we are working to ensure that no one is left behind."
Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said Wairoa still has properties classed as provisional category 2A, which was a complex and uncertain categorisation.
"While there may be options for some risk mitigation, we simply do not know enough to make fully informed decisions and without significant external funding, we will not be able to afford any proposed flood mitigation."
Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise said the significant progress made over the last seven weeks is testament to the collaboration of all involved in Hawke's Bay's recovery.
"Our biggest focus remains on looking after our community and listening to our people.
"As a region we have experienced devastation that will take years to recover from. Recovery is complex, and any decisions we make now must have future and intergenerational safety at their heart."