The Government has announced it will expand its drought support to new parts of the country and continue helping farmers in areas facing long-term dry conditions.
An extra $900,000 has been allocated to help farmers, with the current large-scale adverse event expanded to include Mid Canterbury, South Canterbury, and Otago.
The move will ensure feed support services can continue, animals are well cared for and that extra wellbeing assistance will be available to more farmers affected by drought.
Recovery and resilience coordinators will be employed to help coordinate support between Rural Support Trusts and industry groups, enabling affected communities to bounce back quicker.
You can read the Minister’s media release here (See attachment):
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/hon-damien-oconnor
Updated drought classification maps can be found on MPI’s website:
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/.../dealing-with-drought-conditions/
Current situation:
Large-scale adverse event classification for drought
Region/district
Added to the classification, with extra support until 30 November 2021.
Mid Canterbury, South Canterbury, and Otago regions.
Support extended until 30 November 2021.
Marlborough, North Canterbury, and the Chatham Islands.
Support continued until 30 June 2021, when it will be reviewed.
Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Nelson, and Tasman regions, and Manawatū, Rangitīkei, and Tararua districts.
Below are some details you may find useful:
Which regions have been added to the large-scale adverse event classification?
The area covered by the large-scale adverse event classification has been expanded to include Mid Canterbury, South Canterbury, and Otago. Those regions are extremely dry and need extra recovery and wellbeing support.
Which areas will receive extra drought support until 30 November 2021?
At this stage it will be Marlborough, North Canterbury, Mid Canterbury, South Canterbury, Otago, and the Chatham Islands.
Why are some areas being removed from the large-scale adverse event classification?
The Taranaki region, and Ruapehu and Whanganui districts, will be formally taken out of the large-scale adverse event classification on 30 June 2021. Those areas have received good rainfall, soil moisture levels have recovered and they no longer require extra support.
What will the extension mean for farmers?
It will enable affected farmers to continue to acc