Latest News

Government funding relief for flood-affected Wairarapa farmers and growers

Government funding relief for flood-affected Wairarapa farmers and growers

$80,000 made available to the East Coast Rural Support Trust to help farmers and growers recover from significant damage in the region

Photos supplied by the Rural Support Trust Wairarapa

The Government has extended its medium-scale classification of Cyclone Hale to the Wairarapa after assessing storm damage to the eastern coastline of the region.

“We’re making up to $80,000 available to the East Coast Rural Support Trust to help farmers and growers recover from the significant damage in the region,” Agriculture and Rural Communities Minister Damien O'Connor said.

The support follows Friday’s announcement of $100,000 to help coordinate efforts across the Tairāwhiti region, as farmers and growers recover from the effects of the cyclone.

The decision unlocks Government and other recovery assistance measures for farmers and growers in the area including tax flexibility with Inland Revenue. This will enable farming and forestry businesses to even out income fluctuations by spreading their gross income from year to year. 

Damien O’Connor said the Ministry for Primary Industries has been working closely with sector groups and other agencies to continue assessing the storm’s impact and to determine the best recovery approach.

“Damage to the primary sector includes land slips, flood debris and silt (rivers, pasture, fence lines), fallen trees, surface water on arable crops and likely damage in orchards due to bruising of fruit due to high winds in wet canopies.  The ongoing loss of road access for isolated rural communities in affected areas adds to the impacts,” Damien O’Connor said. 

“I understand the situation is causing a great deal of stress to some families. It’s important they receive the help they need to recover from this storm, which follows hard on the heels of other high rainfall events in recent months.”

Over the weekend Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty also announced a $150,000 contribution to the Mayoral Relief Fund by the Government to help Gisborne communities affected by the storm.

“We will continue to assess whether further support is needed, such as Enhanced Taskforce Green for clean-up, as the full extent of the damage becomes more apparent over the coming weeks,” Damien O’Connor said.

Helpful numbers:

  • Rural Support Trust on 0800 RURAL HELP or 0800 787 254
  • DairyNZ: 0800 4 DairyNZ (0800 432 479 69)
  • Beef + Lamb New Zealand: 0800 BEEFLAMB (0800 233 352)
  • Federated Farmers: 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646
Previous Article Invest in your Wellbeing Bank Account for 2023
Next Article Government support for flood-affected Gisborne Tairāwhiti farmers and growers
Print
2175

Name:
Email:
Subject:
Message:
x

More news...

Government announces drought support for Canterbury and Otago

Government announces drought support for Canterbury and Otago

The Coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification in place for the Marlborough, Nelson, and Tasman districts to cover the Canterbury and Otago regions, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today.

March 25, 2024 0 Comments
Opinion : Are we doing rural mental health right?

Opinion : Are we doing rural mental health right?

In my line of work, I see people at their best and worst.

It can be challenging and gradual but being a part of the experience of fundamental change within someone suffering from mental health challenges, is the most rewarding experience I can think of.

March 18, 2024 0 Comments
Impact Report 2023

Impact Report 2023

What did 2023 look like for our team?

March 3, 2024 0 Comments
Need help in navigating ACC?

Need help in navigating ACC?

Way Finders is a navigation service for ACC clients. They can make it easier for you to understand your ACC entitlements and support you on your ACC journey. ​

February 23, 2024 0 Comments
New events announced for "Checking-in" rural recovery project in the North Island

New events announced for "Checking-in" rural recovery project in the North Island

Several new ‘Checking-in’ events to support North Island rural communities impacted by last year’s adverse weather events have been announced for 2024.

February 12, 2024 0 Comments
Rural Support Trust sees nationwide increase in calls

Rural Support Trust sees nationwide increase in calls

Rural Support Trust National Chair Neil Bateup says this is only part of the story, ‘The Rural Support Trust profile has increased in our rural communities and with our team often being well known members of their local community they are regularly approached directly for...
January 30, 2024 0 Comments
Better Hunting - Free NZ hunting essentials eLearning

Better Hunting - Free NZ hunting essentials eLearning

Hunting wild game can be a great way to learn new skills, shrink your focus, slow down and make an achievable mission of something.

Ministers Doocey and Patterson Meet with Otago & Southland Rural Support Trusts

Ministers Doocey and Patterson Meet with Otago & Southland Rural Support Trusts

Farmers Weekley article - Matt Doocey hopes to partner with local groups to meet the mental health support need, as rural support trusts highlight “funding is not keeping pace with demand”.

9 things I wish everyone knew about grief…by Dr Lucy Hone

9 things I wish everyone knew about grief…by Dr Lucy Hone

Dr Lucy Hone is a Top 20 TED Talk of 2020; Global authority on resilience. Keynote Speaker, Best-selling Author, Award-winning 'pracademic', Media Commentator. Key topics include Coping with...

Rural Support Trust NZ

With thanks to our Principal Sponsors
 
Thanks to our Time Out Tour partners