Why a temporary flood levy on higher earners would be the fairest way to help pay for Cyclone Gabrielle
- Written by Jonathan Barrett, Associate Professor in Commercial Law and Taxation, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington

Cyclone Gabrielle’s trail of misery and destruction presents a major fiscal and political dilemma for the government: how should the country pay for the recovery? Does it borrow now and spread repayment over generations, or raise taxes in an election year?
Either way, the cost is...