Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says it has been a tough start to the year for those impacted by the weather events that claimed nine lives.

Luxon said the priority right now was housing people who had been displaced.

Getting supplies to communities that have been cut off is also a key priority for the Government right now.

The Government will allocate $1.2 million to help the affected communities, of which $1m would go towards reimbursing marae that had supported communities. Luxon said marae had been "exceptional" in the way they had help the local communities.

He said he had visited some of those marae in Northland and could "not speak highly enough" of their response.

Minister Chris Penk has been appointed in an assistant minister role supporting Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell.

The inquiry would answer questions including whether there was a missed opportunity to evacuate people sooner.

Luxon said there was also a strong case for an independent Government inquiry.

"There is learning here for the rest of New Zealand ... the families deserve answers ... we owe it to the families to ensure there is an independent [Government] inquiry they can have confidence in," he said.

On the $1.2 million contribution to the mayoral relief fund, Luxon said it was about "immediate money get straight out" to the impacted councils. 

"This is an immediate top-up ... there is clearly a need for us to spend a lot more in investment alongside councils going forward," he said during the post-Cabinet press conference on the first day of official business in Parliament this year.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis said there was hundreds of millions of dollars available for responding to the aftermath of this natural disaster if required.

Today's funding was from between Budget contingency, Willis said.

$1m for marae providing support following weather events

The Government has announced a $1 million Marae Emergency Response Fund to reimburse marae for welfare support provided during recent severe weather events across the Upper North Island, allowing them to replenish resources and build resilience.

Between January 20 and 23, flooding and landslips caused widespread disruption across Northland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Tairāwhiti, with marae opening their doors to evacuees, stranded travellers and isolated residents, often among the first to activate, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka said in a statement this afternoon.

“At least 20 marae across five regions activated to support their communities, providing kai, shelter, power and essential support to anyone who needed it.

“This fund ensures marae are not left carrying the costs of that mahi allowing them to replenish what was used, recover from the immediate response, and continue to build their resilience for future events.”

The $1 million allocation has been added to the Māori Development Fund, enabling Te Puni Kōkiri to provide one-off reimbursement grants to marae that delivered welfare support during the January 2026 severe weather event.

Marae or related organisations that provided welfare support can apply for reimbursement grants by contacting their regional Te Puni Kōkiri office to begin the process.

Funding can be used to cover eligible costs incurred while supporting communities, including food, accommodation, utilities and other essential welfare expenses.
“I want to acknowledge and thank the marae, volunteers and communities who stood up for others during these events. Their leadership, Manaakitanga, and care had made and continue to make a real difference,” Potaka said.