No cover for many flood victims

The floods are now considered by the Government to be the biggest natural disaster to have hit New Zealand since the 1931 Napier earthquake.

Government ministers are today expected to sign off a massive relief package, possibly worth more than $100 million. Some estimates put the total bill for damage as high as $300 million.

"We've had to bring in people from all over the country and we are the first ones to see what the damage is from a claims point of view, and it's extensive," said Insurance Council chief executive Chris Ryan. He warned there could be big problems re-housing people in smaller rural communities, particularly the 25 per cent without insurance.

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