Source: Radio New Zealand
The PM and ministers are running late. The press conference will begin shortly in the media player above
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is about to speak to media at the Tai Rāwhiti Emergency Coordination Centre after visiting nearby weather-hit areas by helicopter.
He’s joined by Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Chris Penk.
Bishop earlier issued a statement, updating the status of roads around the country.
An estimated 1000 truckloads of debris still need to be cleared from State Highway Two through the Waioweka Gorge after the recent wild weather.
The Bay of Plenty road remains closed due to about 40 slips along the route.
Bishop said crews were working seven days a week, with the goal of reopening at least one lane as soon as it was safe.
State Highway 35 on the East Coast had also been hit hard, with one section between Te Araroa and Pōtaka likely to be out of action for some time.
Meanwhile, State Highway 25 between Whangamatā and Whiritoa was not expected to reopen until next month.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
