Woolworks scour reopens after $50m rebuild
The world’s largest wool processing facility, badly damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle over one year ago, has re-opened following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project.
The Government has announced it will contribute a further $500,000 to the Post Your Support initiative.
The initiative is a community fundraising campaign supporting farmers to fix fences and growing structures damaged by Cyclones Gabrielle and Hale.
The fund was kicked off earlier this year with $225,000 funding from rural retailer Farmlands, $150,000 from Federated Farmers, and $80,000 from Stuff.
Additional funding has been donated to the initiative by the Ministry for Primary Industries ($100,000) and Silver Fern Farms ($100,000).
This additional contribution from the Government comes from the $35.4 million allocated to cyclone recovery in Budget 2023.
“It’s been an extremely challenging start to the year for farmers and growers affected by the adverse weather events in the North Island and this funding is about getting in behind our rural communities as they rebuild,” says Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor.
O’Connor says that while the Government previously contributed $100,000 (via the Ministry for Primary Industries) to help kickstart the initiative’s work, it is now adding a further $500,000 to ensure essential infrastructure, like fences and growing structures, can be repaired and replaced.
“This sits alongside our ongoing support for cyclone-affected primary producers, including $74 million in recovery grants, and the North Island Weather Events Loan Guarantee Scheme and Primary Producer Finance Scheme,” he says.
Meanwhile, Rural Communities Minister Kieran McAnulty has announced an additional adverse event classification following ongoing wet conditions in the Bay of Plenty, a move which unlocks $50,000 in funding for the region.
“This extra funding will enable the Bay of Plenty Rural Support Trust to deliver further services to those in need,” McAnulty says.
He says the cumulative impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle and subsequent heavy rain events mean challenging conditions for farmers in the lead-up to calving.
“The Rural Support Trust provides key services like mentoring, mental health outreach, and running community events. This funding will support their work to take the strain off farmers who are doing it tough right now,” he says.
To donate to the Post Your Support initiative, head to farmlands.co.nz/postyoursupport
Living labs that bring together expertise at locations around New Zealand are among potential solutions identified by researchers to help the country move towards a more climate resilient future.
The New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) has started issuing annual reports, a new initiative to share information on consumer-level recalls with the public.
The chair of the Dairy Environment Leaders, the president of the North Otago Federated Farmers, and a herd health veterinarian are among those nominated for the Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year award this year.
Winners of DairyNZ’s Sustainability and Stewardship awards in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards have their eyes firmly fixed on progressing a positive future for New Zealand dairy.
Troubled milk processor Synlait’s co-founder John Penno has stepped down from the board.
Dairy Women's Network has announced the finalists for its Regional Leader of the Year award.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…