Kiri Allan's resignation from her ministerial portfolios, leaves a region of cyclone-affected residents in the lurch.
The former Minister had been leading the recovery of Cyclone Gabrielle in Te Tairāwhiti until she crashed her car on Sunday night.
The Prime Minister has since assigned Grant Robertson with coordinating Te Tairāwhiti's recovery.
Tolaga Bay Civil Defence Area Manager Greg Shelton spoke to Corin Dann.
