Stories by Lauren Crimp

A review of Hawke's Bay Civil Defence's Cyclone Gabrielle response is expected to begin in August, and be completed by the end of the year.

Mana whenua may finally have a seat at the Hawke's Bay Civil Defence table.

Hope could be on the horizon for growers facing the loss of their livelihoods following Cyclone Gabrielle.

Thousands of Hawke's Bay property owners can now start talking with council officials about what will happen to their storm-hit properties.

The proposed rates increase signals to the government that the district needs major financial support for its cyclone recovery, the Wairoa District Council says.

But without their contact details, the council is relying on word of mouth to get the message out.

A stoush between a Hawke's Bay council and the National Emergency Management Agency over who pays for some Cyclone Gabrielle costs could leave ratepayers with a hefty bill. Audio

After two cyclones and 35 years, plans are finally being laid to safeguard the community against flooding. Audio

Napier has received a shipment of back-up generators to run its stormwater pump stations, more than two years after it identified they were needed.

Advocates warn mental health services will not be able to cope with the rising tide of post-cyclone trauma.

More than 300 households whose properties were wrecked by flooding earlier this year are still waiting for a temporary home - or are in limbo about whether they will need one.

The Cyclone Gabrielle recovery bill in Hastings is estimated to top $2 billion, once farms and orchards in the wider region are taken into account.

Hawke's Bay regional councillors have agreed the public is owed answers and accountability for the performance of its flood protection assets during Cyclone Gabrielle.

Napier homeowners are facing a rates hike of almost 12 percent, in part to help fund the council's Cyclone Gabrielle recovery efforts.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council is considering a proposal for an independent review of how its flood protection schemes stood up during Cyclone Gabrielle.

The organisation wants to avoid repeating mistakes it made following the Christchurch earthquake.

A new review was announced this week, but one from 18 months ago had already identified significant problems.

A Cook Strait ferry that had been out of action due to an engineering fault is back in service after "chaos" for passengers.

Hawke's Bay businesses say despite a trail of destruction left by Cyclone Gabrielle, their doors are open - and they desperately need support. Audio

Wellington's mayor admits council is partly responsible for hospitality operators struggling in the capital.

The government says it will have the information it needs on high-risk areas in three weeks and can then start deciding where houses can be rebuilt and which areas may need to be retreated from.

Contractors helping communities clean up after Cyclone Gabrielle say they desperately need government support to continue.

A series of independent retailers on Wellington's Cuba Street are shutting up shop and owners say they cannot afford to do business there.

Wellington City Council declined Wellington Water a $10 million funding boost because it is not confident the organisation can deliver the work.

It is still unclear how many people have been made homeless in Hawke's Bay more than two weeks after Cyclone Gabrielle struck.