Cyclone makes Robertson's Budget balancing act perilous

While somewhat bound politically by Labour's promise of no new taxes this term, Finance Minister Grant Robertson is keeping all options open in his search for a way to fund the recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland Anniversary floods. It's the first big test for his pairing with Prime Minister Chris Hipkins - and they will need to carefully balance the practicalities of on-the-ground response with longer-term preparation for future challenges - all while keeping faith with voters, many of them still traumatised by the crises. In this week's Focus on Politics, RNZ political editor Jane Patterson assesses the impact of the cyclone and the financial tools the government has for dealing with it. "We can build back better, we can build back safer, and we can build back smarter, and we will do that by working together" - Chris HipkinsTo tax, to borrow, or to cut spending: those are the broad options facing Finance Minister Grant Robertson. While somewhat bound politically by Labour's promise of no new taxes this term, Robertson's keeping all options open in his search for a way to fund the recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland Anniversary floods.It's the first big test for the pairing of Robertson with Prime Minister Chris Hipkins - and they will need to carefully balance the practicalities of on-the-ground response with longer-term preparation for future challenges - all while keeping faith with voters, many of them still traumatised by the crises. Listen to the full podcast More than a week on from the declaration of a national emergency, New Zealanders are coming to grips with the devastation wrought on homes and infrastructure, including key roading links that support economic supply chains. Slash is blamed for much of the damage from Gabrielle, and it's just the latest of several events where that's been the case. Forestry Minister Stuart Nash has announced yet another inquiry into the matter, giving former National MP Hekia Parata a two-month timeframe to get it done. At least one industry boss is expecting major changes. Communities in Hawke's Bay made vulnerable by the storm have also been raising concerns about rampant crime. Hipkins tried to give reassurances of extra police in the area, and apparently low levels of reported crime - but that went down poorly with isolated residents left alone to patrol communities - some still without power and reliable communications. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins in Napier inspects a warehouse full of goods for donation. Opposition parties have been critical, calling for more to be done like doubled sentences for offenders during a state of emergency, or bringing in the defence force to help police. …Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details