Hawke’s Bay Councils say buyout of homes destroyed during Cyclone Garbielle is nearing completion

Hawke’s Bay councils have largely completed the purchase of homes destroyed during Cyclone Gabrielle.

More than 300 properties in Hastings and Napier were after the cyclone it was considered category 3which made it no longer safe for anyone to live there.

Of these, 167 were eligible for buyout – 153 in Hastings and 14 in Napier – with councils and the government agreeing to pay half the costs.

In October last year, municipalities set up a voluntary buyout agency to facilitate the purchase of these properties, or offer relocation subsidies that would allow owners to keep the land but live elsewhere.

The process was largely complete, four more bids remained to be made and the buyout office would close, the councils said on Tuesday.

To date, 24 properties have been purchased and the owners of the remaining properties have accepted relocation subsidies.

Hastings District Council regeneration manager Gus Charteris said the job was completed on time and on budget – around $100 million split between the government and the council.

“We are very proud of what this office has accomplished to help property owners through this difficult process and gain some certainty about their future,” he said.

Homes purchased through this process were being moved or demolished, which would be completed by the end of the year, he said.

The councils wanted to maximize the productive use of the land and reduce the cost of the program to taxpayers by selling off properties.

Five properties and some residential properties had been sold or were awaiting settlement, while the sale of others was being negotiated and some were about to be put on the market.

“Interest is initially being sought from neighbors of these properties where productive activity is already taking place,” the councils said.

In those cases, the municipality and the potential buyer would agree on a fair market price, based on independent appraisals.

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said it was an extremely challenging time for those who lost their homes.

“For those who participated in the voluntary buyout process, we hope the outcome allows them to move on with their lives, and we appreciate their patience as we work with our team.”

Reaching the end of the process was an important step in strengthening the region’s resilience, Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise said.

“While community safety remains central to these efforts, we also recognize the difficult journey endured by those directly affected.”

Register for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.