33082 (2025). Camilla Belich to the Minister of Internal Affairs

33082 (2025). Camilla Belich to the Minister of Internal Affairs: What new responsibilities, if any, is the Department of Internal Affairs taking on in relation to emergency management recovery, and from what agencies are these responsibilities being transferred?

Hon Brooke van Velden: I am advised that, from 1 July 2025, the Department of Internal Affairs assumed responsibility for several activities that were previously the responsibility of the Cyclone Recovery Unit hosted within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. These activities are in relation to recovery from the severe weather events of early 2023 (Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle, and the Auckland Anniversary weekend flooding). New responsibilities include implementation of the 2023 North Island Weather Events Crown Funding Agreements with affected councils including the buy-out cost share agreements and funding of flood protection and infrastructure projects, marae, and whenua Māori residential relocation.