CANBERRA, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has deployed a disaster crew to aid with New Zealand's recovery from former tropical cyclone Gabrielle.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt on Friday announced a 25-strong team of expert officers from fire and emergency services will head to New Zealand's North Island to support flood recovery efforts.

Seven people have died and thousands more left homeless or displaced after the storm made landfall, causing widespread destruction.

It came only weeks after Auckland and surrounding areas were hit by record rainfall and flooding that killed four people.

Wong said the federal government was ready to offer more help if assistance is required.

Watt said Australian emergency services had become experts in flood response and recovery following natural disasters across the country in recent years. Enditem

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