More than $13 million intended for the country's cyclone recovery effort is sitting in a bank account collecting dust.
The government's Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Fund includes $11.7 million from a special Lotto draw in March and more than $1.7 million in public donations - plus some interest.
But while people struggle with the cost of rebuilding their lives and communities seven months on, applications won't open until next year.
Reporter Lauren Crimp has more.
