The Government is adopting a similar immigration pathway to one used after the Christchurch and Kaikoura earthquakes, to kick-start post-cyclone recovery.
Opening today, the new scheme processes visas within a week, with fees wiped for successful applicants.
Insurance assessors and debris removal specialists are top of the priority list.
Immigration Minister, Michael Wood told Mike Hosking agencies are working now to figure out how many people are needed.
He says it'll be in the hundreds or thousands, with more work needed to assess the widespread damage.
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