New Zealand's Cyclone Gabrielle recovery task force is based partly on Queensland's response to repeated floods, but how successful is theirs proving a year on?
Environmental historian Margaret Cook is an expert on how human behaviour causes flood hazards and the author of a book on the history of flooding in Brisbane.
She said Queensland's recovery from last year's floods began well, compared to the one from floods in 2011 which had no such scheme in place.
"We're going to be looking at buying back 500 houses roughly," Cook said.
"The problem is, it's only a great start, and it's only going to make a difference to a small number of people."
Thousands of homes were destroyed in the floods and the shortfall in buyback funding is causing problems.
Cook said the priority for Queensland at the moment is "moving the most vulnerable, in the places that get flooded the most frequently and the worst".
However, she said, "there will be lots of people who don't qualify and that's a problem for the scheme and is very disappointing for all those people who miss out".
There also remain problems for those who are being bought out as the homes have to be comprehensively assessed before being purchased by the government, leading to people living in squalid conditions in heavily flood-damaged homes.
"Some people are living in absolutely appalling conditions," said Cook.
"The task of getting around to assess all of these houses takes a really long time."
Additionally, Cook said people's trauma from the floods compounded with insurance negotiations and having to make difficult decisions about where to live is taking a heavy toll.
Another problem Queensland is facing that will likely also be reflected in New Zealand's recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle is a severe shortage of builders and building materials.
"People are still living in squalor," Cook said
"Some people are actually camping in their houses, some are surrounded by mould, or even have no walls at all."
Cook emphasised New Zealand needs better houses and building codes in the first place to avoid the fallout from natural disasters being so drawn out.
"But the reality is both countries are talking about thousands of houses and none of us want to increase our taxes to pay for that," she said.
"We've got to try and find a model that adds incremental money to this system because the individual can't wear the cost."
Watch the full video for more.
Watch Newshub Nation 9:30am Saturday/10am Sunday on Three & Three Now, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.
