Damien O’Connor Criticises Budget 2026 as ‘Miserable’ for Rural New Zealand
A miserable budget that didn’t deliver much for anyone.
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says the breadth of the storm’s impact has been unprecedented, with milk collection disrupted, orchards inundated and livestock losses across much of the North Island.
“This is a dynamic situation and we are responding accordingly to help the rural sector to respond with this initial funding of $4 million,” he says.
Yesterday, the Government declared a National State of Emergency and announced an $11.5 million community support package to assist in the response to assist in the response to Cyclone Gabrielle.
It marks only the third occasion in New Zealand’s history in which a National State of Emergency has been declared. The other two occasions were the 2011 Christchurch Earthquake and the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This is a difficult time for many, with thousands of people’s homes and businesses affected by this large-scale adverse event – the Government is here to provide support.”
O’Connor says he expects more support will be offered and provided once a full and thorough assessment of the damage from Cyclone Gabrielle is complete.
“That destruction includes flooded farms and orchards, damage to vital roading and electricity infrastructure, and isolated communities.
“Conditions continue to make it difficult to assess the full extent of crop damage, livestock losses, and disruption.”
He says that widespread power outages are impacting dairy farmers’ ability to milk cows, especially in the Northland region, and MPI staff are working closely with sector groups and processors to minimise potential animal welfare issues.
“It’s expected damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle will exacerbate feed issues experienced by some farmers in flood-affected areas. MPI is restarting the national Feed Working Group, which is a partnership with sector groups and specialist providers to monitor feed availability.
“This recovery mobilisation fund will help provide extra resources for sector organisations to support affected areas," O’Connor says.
Rural Communities and Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty says this is an unprecedented event, which for some has come mere weeks after flooding hit the upper North Island and Cyclone Hale wreaked havoc on the Gisborne/Tairawhiti region.
"The MPI Rural Communities and Farming Support, On Farm Support, Animal Health and Welfare, and Māori Agribusiness teams are on the ground in the regions helping where they can,” he says.
Meanwhile Associate Agriculture Minister Meka Whaitiri says regional staff from MPI are focused on assisting the primary sector.
"We’re being regularly updated on the wellbeing of people and the welfare of their livestock. We will work directly with sector groups and organisations, including Rural Support Trusts, to identify and focus help to the areas of greatest need,” Whaitiri says.]
For assistance, contact:
- Farmers needing support around dealing with floods are encouraged to visit the MPI website Dealing with floods | NZ Government (mpi.govt.nz)
- DairyNZ: 0800 4 DairyNZ (0800 432 479 69)
- Beef + Lamb New Zealand: 0800 BEEFLAMB (0800 233 352)
- Federated Farmers: 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646)
- Horticulture New Zealand: 0508 467 869
- Farmers can contact their local Rural Support Trust on 0800 RURAL HELP or 0800 787 254
