Government approves $23 million boost to the cyclone grant for farmers and growers

The extra grant funding takes total primary sector cyclone recovery support to $78 million to date.

Photo: Rural Support Trust Tararua | MPI Media Release 5th April 2023

Key points

• $23 million boost to the fund that has successfully helped farmers and growers with post-cyclone clean-up, taking total primary sector support to $78 million.
• Nearly 6,000 applications received for grants, with 3,290 approved, and $37 million paid out to farmers and growers to date.
• More support likely as Government backs rural communities to recover from cyclone.

The Government is providing a further $23 million to support more farmers, growers, whenua Māori owners, and rural communities as they recover from Cyclone Gabrielle, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced.

“Helping rural communities to get back on their feet as quickly as possible is a priority,” Damien O’Connor said.

“Since we launched the grants in late February we’ve seen strong uptake from farmers and growers, with the number of applications reaching almost 6,000 by closing date. We’ve moved at speed with $37 million paid out so far and this boost is expected to meet the remaining applications to be processed.

“Having spent time on the ground we knew it was likely there would be more need as people took time to take stock and work through their clean-up from Cyclone Gabrielle, including those in very isolated communities.

“The extra grant funding we’ve announced takes total primary sector cyclone recovery support to $78 million to date.

“It enables the Government to honour all eligible applications received, which means we can get money into the hands as quickly as possible.”

Applications for the clean-up grants closed on 20 March, but those in hard-to-reach areas had until 3 April to apply.

“We understand farmers, growers and other rural businesses are critical to the local economies, providing jobs as well as export revenue for us all,” Damien O’Connor.

“It’s important they have access to help now to protect future production, for example by saving vital trees, vines and pasture, and making repairs.”