Temporary Accommodation Service activates following the severe weather events in January 2026

TAS is working with local authorities, communities and iwi to understand how many people have been displaced and homes that will need to be repaired or rebuilt. TAS is now accepting registrations for people who cannot return to their homes and need assistance in finding temporary accommodation.

“If you have been affected by the severe weather event and need support finding temporary accommodation, we can help”, says Gemma Wiig, Acting Head of Accommodation and Insurance Response.

“If you are staying in accommodation provided by Civil Defence or with friends, whānau or at a local marae and need a longer-term accommodation solution while your home is being repaired, talk to TAS now. The team will work with every household to establish their needs and connect them with available accommodation.”

People can register their details in one of the following ways:

• Register online through the Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) website(external link)
• Email TemporaryAccommServ@mbie.govt.nz
• Phone 0508 754 163

Tenants and landlords of rental properties can familiarise themselves with their tenancy rights and obligations at www.tenancy.govt.nz(external link).

Temporary accommodation is different to ‘shelter’ and ‘emergency accommodation’, which is provided for a short period by civil defence and emergency management agencies. Temporary accommodation is used for short to medium terms, providing households with accommodation while repairs are undertaken following a Civil Defence Emergency.

Wherever possible TAS uses existing, undamaged residential housing as temporary accommodation. Where there is a shortage of rental accommodation in the affected area, TAS procures and deploys additional housing supply for temporary accommodation to support residential housing recovery.