PM Luxon praises flood response

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was in Dunedin today to praise the civil defence response to last week’s floods across large parts of Otago.

However, met with a frosty reception from protesters and was shepherded by close-protection officers into Dunedin City Council’s civil defence bunker, which was heavily guarded by police.

Addressing the media from the bunker, Mr Luxon acknowledged it was a “tough time” for many in Otago impacted by last week’s severe weather event.

“The devastation is real, whether it be 11 families who have got red-stickered properties at the moment, whether it be farmers  who have lost huge amount of livestock and land.

“It’s also been a difficult time with respect to roading infrastructure and slips and other things impacting property and roads.”

He praised the “outstanding” response from Otago Civil Defence and emergency services’ first-responders who battled through “quite awful” weather.”

Support from the government would continue through the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ministry of Social Development, he said.

Civil Defence Minister Mark Mitchell said the 11 red-stickered properties were affected mainly by slips.

“We’re doing work with the council now to see if there’s mitigation work that can be done to allow those people to return.

“But the reason why we are here, is because we want to partner with local government and make sure people are looked after.”

Mr Luxon said the government was up for talking about city and regional deals regards climate change adaptation but that also had rights and responsibilities to it.

“It’s not one way traffic, it’s actually a partnership. Importantly on events like this we also need to start thinking about climate adaptation and how to deal with those issues across the country.”

Mr Luxon said said a bi-partizan approach and support for climate change adaptation framework was needed on that issue.

Speaking on the Dunedin Hospital protest, he said he “fully understood the frustration” but it was also frustrating for the government.

“We are going to build a great hospital here in Dunedin but it’s going to be at $1.9 billion not approaching $3 billion.”

Mr Luxon said the $3 billion latest estimate for the hospital was one of a series of “cost creeps” it had inherited.

Main image: (Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaking from DCC's civil defence bunker)