A grants programme for local Whakatane businesses hit hard by the Whakaari White Island eruption - will be a short-term solution

It comes as part of the Government's five-million-dollar boost for Whakatane - and the Westland area affected by recent weather events.

MBIE's Dean Ford says the community will be facing massive uncertainty - and it's about giving them support to get through the summer period.

An extra 50-thousand-dollars for the local council's Mayoral Relief Fund's also just been confirmed.