150 Bay of Plenty houses still off-limits

Tauranga City Council spokeswoman Elizabeth Hughes today said 159 houses were uninhabitable, and 10 households were living in motels or hotels.

The rest are now in private or long-term rental accommodation since being evacuated from their homes after the deluge on May 18.

The Earthquake Commission has confirmed that 37 dwellings cannot be salvaged.

The council is in the process of negotiating with these property owners and it was likely they would have to be demolished.

Meanwhile, an independent report is underway into what needs to be done in the future to prevent such catastrophes .

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