18 Jan 2011

New Zealanders missing out on flood relief

5:58 pm on 18 January 2011

Some New Zealanders living in Australia are missing out on getting financial help in flood-affected states.

New Zealand's High Commissioner in Canberra is speaking with the Australian government about problems some people are experiencing.

The Disaster Relief Payment has been made available by Centrelink, the social agency for the federal government.

However, it says only New Zealanders who arrived before 26 February 2001, and are therefore considered residents, are likely to be eligible.

Te Korowai Aroha, an organisation supporting Maori in Brisbane, says many New Zealanders are learning they may not qualify - even though they have lived in Australia for years.