The Government has announced it will provide an interim payment to displaced homeowners when their temporary accommodation payments run out.
It will be available from September 4 and will be made weekly.
Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni said the interim payment will be set at 100% of the average rent declared by Accommodation Supplement recipients in the recipients' region.
The Government said the payment is targeted to people who are not being otherwise supported to pay for temporary private rental accommodation.
"We recognise the need to provide certainty to residents who are unable to return to their homes. This payment will help bridge the gap until repairs are undertaken or a decision is made on the future of their property."
Sepuloni said that after visiting areas impacted by this year's extreme weather events and speaking to those impacted it was clear "they need and deserve certainty so that they can plan, recover, and get back to a sense of normality".
"The Government has prioritised setting up this payment now, as payments from insurers for temporary accommodation start to run out and the future for some people's homes remain uncertain.
"If a longer-term solution is needed there is work underway on what that might look like. In the meantime, the interim payment will give displaced homeowners the certainty and confidence they need to plan ahead," Sepuloni said.
Eligible displaced homeowners can receive a lump-sum payment covering them from as early as June 1 this year to ensure that there is not a gap in support.
Payments aren't taxable and won't affect Working for Families and most other social assistance entitlements.
Sepuloni said the interim payment is called the North Island Weather Events – Temporary Accommodation Assistance (NIWE TAA). The Ministry of Social Development can be contacted from August 21 to book an appointment, she said.
Who is eligible
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Those who are displaced from their home which has received a red or yellow placard and they continue to face costs associated with their damaged home such as mortgage, rates and insurance.
Those who have a tenancy agreement from before July 19
Those who have earlier been receiving a temporary accommodation payment for their insurer but are no longer getting it
Those who aren't currently in Temporary Accommodation Service accommodation but are registered
Those who aren't receiving another Government payment for their temporary accommodation costs in the same property, such as the Accommodation Supplement or the Student Allowance Accommodation Benefit
What isn't covered
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Costs of commercial accommodation such as motels and hotels
Homeowners who are currently receiving payment for temporary support from their insurer. If a homeowner received an upfront lump sum from their insurer for temporary accommodation costs, they’re not eligible for NIWE TAA until their cover runs out
Homeowners who are receiving the Accommodation Supplement or the Student Allowance Accommodation Benefit
The Government said Auckland is AS Area One, Hawke's Bay is two, Gisborne is three and rural areas are four.
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Q&A: Ask a question about...Online Safety
Continuing with Neighbourly's online Q&A with experts in their field, this week we are tackling online safety with Jandy Fiske from Netsafe.
Jandy Fiske has been with Netsafe for nearly 8 years. Starting on their helpline, she's now Netsafe's Community Engagement Advisor. Jandy says: 'I'm passionate about online safety because I strongly oppose bullying and want to support those affected by it.'
Jandy is passionate about protecting vulnerable communities and is promoting online safety to ensure no one falls prey to online scams. She can answer your questions about any type of online scams, and also about online harm such as online bullying.
↓ Ask your question below now and she'll be online on Wednesday, 11th September to reply to you ↓
Police are investigating after a bus driver was allegedly punched in the face and "had some teeth knocked" out in Avondale.
Police said it was alerted to the incident at about 10.17am yesterday.
"The driver received facial injuries and was transported to hospital," a spokesperson said.
"Police are making inquiries into the assault to identify those involved."
Tramways Union president Gary Froggatt said the driver was allegedly punched in the face by a passenger.
Froggatt wanted more to be done about "issues like this".
"I realise you can't have a policeman on every bus, but the drivers and the unions seem to be left out of the conversation.
"He's in hospital getting stitches put in his knee. He had his teeth knocked out," he said.
Froggatt said he got "about three or four calls like this" from drivers a month.
"I feel for the family, the drivers should be able to go to work and go home safe."
Auckland Transport said it was aware of the incident and assisting police with their investigation.
Group manager of public transport operations Rachel Cara said the bus operator was ensuring the driver has the support they need.
"We operate over 13,000 bus services every weekday and fortunately the majority of our passengers are amazing, but these isolated incidents are concerning.
"Our bus drivers work tirelessly to keep Aucklanders moving and deserve to feel safe in their place of work.
"We continue to work closely with police, other agencies and communities to improve safety on public transport."
Police urged witnesses to call 105.
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