Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Habitat for Humanity may help rebuild Aitutaki

Updated at 9:36 pm on 15 March 2010

The Cook Islands says New Zealand's cyclone reconstruction package falls short of original estimates, but Habitat for Humanity may come to the rescue on Aitutaki.

The New Zealand government has announced a $5.5 million reconstruction package in the wake of Cyclone Pat, which damaged about 80% of houses on Aitutaki and destroyed 72 homes a month ago.

Cook Islands Finance Minister Wilkie Rasmussen says the money falls short of what they thought was needed, but Habitat for Humanity New Zealand is offering to build kitset homes for about half the amount the government planned to grant.

Mr Rasmussen says it could take until December to build the homes, depending which plan is adopted.

He says Habitat for Humanity can move very quickly, building about three houses in several days after taking into account shipping.

Mr Rasmussen says the repair of partially damaged homes should be complete in about six weeks.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully says tourism on Aitutaki is a vital income source for the Cook Islands and the New Zealand assistance will help restore business as usual as quickly as possible.

The grant follows emergency relief worth $350,000.

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