Debris surrounds a house following flooding in Te Araroa. Photo: Supplied
The Green Party is questioning why Civil Defence payments have not yet been activated for people affected by last week's severe weather.
The payments are made available following an emergency event such as flooding or earthquakes, and support people who have had to leave their home and could not return, or if they could not work and have lost income because they could not get to work or their workplace had closed.
The Green Party's social development spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March said the payments were a "lifeline" for communties affected by extreme weather events, and accused the government of "holding back" from using everything it had at its disposal.
"It beggars belief why this hasn't been rolled out to simply support people who may need it at a time of hardship," he said.
The payments varied depending on someone's circumstances, and what they were paying for.
For example, a single person needing support for food, clothing, or bedding could receive a maximum of $400.
A couple without children could receive up to $600, a couple or sole parent with one or two children could receive up to $900, and a couple or sole parent with three or more children could get up to $1100.
They could also be used to help pay for hotel or motel bills, or the costs of staying in hosted accommodation (but not for the Temporary Accommodation Service, or if someone had been offered free accommodation and chosen not to take it), and assist with lost income.
Again, the amounts varied depending on someone's age or dependents.
Recipients did not have to be on a benefit to qualify, and did not need to be New Zealand residents.
People whose insurance could end up covering the costs could still access the payment, but would have to pay it back if they received an insurance payout.
In recent years, the payment was activated following the 2022 Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough floods, the 2023 Auckland floods, and the 2024 floods in Hawke's Bay, Tai Rāwhiti and Dunedin.
But they were yet to be stood up for this year's weather events.
"We've seen how much this payment can help in places like Auckland and other parts of the country when it has been unlocked. The government should do the same for communities in the north and the east who have been affected," Menéndez March said.
The Green Party's social development spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
The government has provided $1.2 million towards Mayoral Relief Funds and a further $1m to reimburse marae that provided shelter and support.
That was on top of existing recovery tools like the Natural Hazards Commission's claims fund and Ministry of Primary Industries Rural Support Trusts.
During Question Time on Wednesday, Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson asked the Prime Minister "why has he not made the Civil Defence Payment available so that whānau whose lives have been wrecked by the climate-charged weather events can buy the basics like food, bedding, clothing, and cover their lost income?".
Christopher Luxon said he rejected the characterisation of the question, as funds had been released "for immediate relief for families and communities in need".
Luxon added there were 400 people with housing challenges that had been managed immediately, and a further 100 that were "more acute", pointing to campervans the government had deployed to help those in remote and isolated communities.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon meets with response teams in Whangārei on 24 January, 2026. Photo: NZ Herald pool / Dean Purcell
Menéndez March said the government "owes an explanation" as to why it was not using all the tools at its disposal to make sure families were supported.
"The government has to help families affected by flooding, and sometimes we're talking about families who may have lost bedding, clothes, and even the ability to go to work as a result of these weather events."
Social development minister Louise Upston said the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) was "continuing to monitor what's needed based on assessments from Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) officials on the ground".
She encouraged people affected by the weather events to ring 0800 559 009 or visit their local MSD service centre to learn about what support was currently available, adding the service centres would have information about the criteria for hardship grants and recoverable assistance funding.
"In the immediate term, regional MSD contacts are connected with CDEM and are working to understand specific needs and whether additional MSD products and supports are necessary," she said.
RNZ has also contacted the Ministry of Social Development for comment.
Following the Auckland floods in 2023, the Greens called for the maximum amounts to be doubled, as they had not kept up with the rising cost of living.
Menéndez March reiterated that call.
"It's a 13-year-old payment now, and of course the government should be reviewing the amount on top of unlocking it for the communities. But right now, the most urgent and helpful thing the government could do is simply unlock that payment so that communities can access it."
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