The Bay of Plenty Primary Sector Flood Recovery Grant applications have now closed and all grants – of either $2000, $5000 or $10,000 - have been distributed.

Fully completed applications that met the eligibility criteria were assessed by a Technical Panel. The technical panel made recommendations to the final Assessment Panel, who made the final grant decisions.

All assistance for flood-affected people and businesses is listed on Whakatāne District Council’s website: www.whakatane.govt.nz/residents/whakatane-district-recovery-project/recovery-support-and-funding-assistance.

To talk about your options including from Work and Income and Inland Revenue, as well as other forms of support, please talk to your local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787254 (0800 RURAL HELP). 

Ex-Cyclone Donna is bringing heavy rain. Keep an eye on the forecast and, if you are prone to flooding, enact your plans.  Whakatane, Rangitaiki, and Tarawera Rivers have reached level 1 and farmers are encouraged to move stock to higher ground.

MPI is working with local stakeholders to monitor the impacts of Ex-Cyclone Donna as the storm hits New Zealand. Farmers and smallholding owners are encouraged to follow their procedures in case of possible flooding on aready saturated ground.

• You can follow information on the civil defence website http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/ and on the local radio station.  
• Weather updates are on  http://www.metservice.com/warnings/severe-weather-warnings
• Call Federated Farmers' helpline on 0800 327 646 option 4 for on-farm help
• Contact your Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254 with information or requests for help.

If a flood is likely:

The safety of you, your family, and workers comes first. If your property is at risk from flooding, enact your plans:

• Moving stock and feed to higher ground
• Making sure your stock has shelter and water, and can't wander
• Safely storing or tying down anything that might blow away.
• Your battery-powered radio at the ready and listening for updates
• Your smartphone charged up
• Checking power and phones. Reporting outages. Treating all lines as live.
• Checking dogs, poultry and pets.
• Checking on neighbours - do they need help or can they help you?
• Using generators if necessary to keep pumps, refrigeration, electric fences and household appliances running. Flood pumps may need attention.

General information on managing through flooding is here: http://www.getthru.govt.nz/disasters/flood