New Zealand's cabinet is meeting today to discuss more support for those with homes and businesses destroyed by former cyclone Gabrielle.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the recovery would come with a big price tag, and the government would have to refocus and reprioritise.
"The usual systems and processes of government are going to need to change and adapt to the extraordinary circumstances that we find ourselves in," Mr Hipkins said.
"If we are going to build back better and if we are going to build back quickly some tough calls will need to be made and I am absolutely committed to doing that."
The death toll from Gabrielle sits at 11, but speaking on Sunday afternoon Mr Hipkins said "more fatalities remain possible".
New Zealand police commissioner, Andrew Coster, told New Zealand's AM Show on Monday they had made contact with 4,000 of the 6,500 people that had been reported as unaccounted-for.
"The gap is closing," he said.
As communications are restored, police are urging people who have not yet reported themselves as safe to do so online as soon as possible.
Mr Coster said the number of deaths would grow but most were out of contact due to difficulty with communication in the area.
More police have been brought into the Hawke's Bay region to respond to an increase in family violence, as well as to help with recovery.
"We are really aware of safety concerns in the community, particularly relating to dishonesty, offending or looting," he said.
"There will be no tolerance for that kind of behaviour and we will deal swiftly with anyone we find victimising people in that way. "
Mr Hipkins said 28,000 homes remained without power, telecommunications had been severely disrupted, and fresh water was in short supply in some areas.
Roads have been severely damaged, limiting access and causing delays in some areas, with work underway to find alternative routes now there are no weather warnings or watches in place.
"The stress and the strain of the past week is clearly starting to show and particularly in areas where power and communication remains disrupted," he said.
Australian emergency responders are supporting fire and emergency crews with 25 on the ground in Hawke's Bay and two supporting the national coordination centre.
"Their main focus will be on helping to contact those who are not yet accounted for," Mr Hipkins said.
He has also accepted assistance from the United States and Fiji.
‘Trying time’ for communities
A man whose daughter was among the 11 that have died was unable to drive to be with his family on account of road closures.
MP for the North Island electorate of East Coast, Kiri Allan, said they were working to help him make the trip via helicopter.
She told ABC News Radio this was one of many challenges residents were facing.
“There is a lot of anxiety,” she said.
“It is a trying time for communities and there are waves of emotion.
“First it is shock, then it is anger and then it is fear.
“We have had all of that in the last few days, but there is an incredible sense of resilience [and] community strength.
"You see the best in people at the worst of times and that is indeed what we are seeing here."
ABC/ Reuters
