Podcast: The economic effects of Cyclone Gabrielle

Resilient infrastructure is crucial for protecting people during disasters and ensuring that communities can bounce back quickly in the aftermath of a crisis. Two powerful examples of this can be seen in New Zealand's response to the 2011 Christchurch earthquake and, more recently, Cyclone Gabrielle. However, with the high cost of repairs that will be needed, the government will need to find the funds to pay for it. In addition, the demand for building supplies is already high, so the government has the power to encourage new entrants into the market. The task of repairing the damage caused by the cyclone will be significant and will require a large number of people to get involved. Therefore, policy changes are necessary to facilitate the involvement of the necessary workforce. On our podcast, our panelists, Dr Oliver Hartwich, Dr Eric Crampton, and Dr Bryce Wilkinson, share their insights on the lessons learned from the 2011 earthquake and suggest necessary policy changes to promote the development of resilient infrastructure for a speedy recovery.