Half of the $50 million recovery package has now been allocated to businesses in need of immediate repairs in areas where the cyclone caused the most damage.

The funding taps out at $40,000 for each business with more funding to come in the coming weeks.

Local councils and business associations will be in charge of distributing the money.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson said that they’re getting a better idea every day as to how much this will cost in total.

LISTEN ABOVE

• $50 million dollar cyclone support fund not enough to cover damages in Hawkes Bay
• A "pragmatic" package: Infrastructure Commission CEO on the cyclone relief fund
• Fran O'Sullivan: The $300 million emergency package is just the start of cyclone recovery funding