Author: Terri Anderson
What's happening in the rural sector?
Discussions are continuing with local stakeholders and Government to identify other ways to help flood-affected Bay of Plenty farmers recover from the April storms.
While farmers in the region are no stranger to floods, the combined effects of the April storms was beyond normal planning for heavy rain and flooding in many areas.
This is why the Minister for Primary Industries classified it as a medium-scale event. This classification means that additional recovery assistance measures were made available directly following the storms, including:
- Enhanced Task Force Green teams to help with cleanup
- Funding for the Rural Support Trust to coordinate recovery activities and events
- Rural Assistance Payments for extreme hardship
- Tax flexibility.
Financial support available to all New Zealanders is also available, and farmers whose incomes have changed are urged to talk to Work and Income about their options.
This flyer has information about other support available.
Contact your local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254 (0800 RURAL HELP) for a free and confidential chat about your needs or someone you are concerned about.