Labour Party leader David Cunliffe says a two-year wait for new flood management laws in Christchurch is too long.
Mr Cunliffe visited flood-affected residents throughout the city on Friday, following the storm this week that also cut power to thousands of people and closed roads and schools.
The Christchurch City Council is trying to fast-track flood-management plans for hard-hit areas and mayor Lianne Dalziel says a local bill could allow mitigation work to happen faster than normal.
If signed off in Parliament, there could be a comprehensive flood protection policy within two years.
But Mr Cunliffe says that's too long to wait. He says, if elected, the Labour Party would look at some sort of buyout offer for badly affected homes, and he'd want the mitigation policy pushed through sooner.
David Cunliffe with affected residents. Photo: RNZ / Marcus Irvine
