Editorial: Testing times
OPINION: Our hearts go out to the farmers and rural communities in Southland and Otago who are battling an onslaught of adverse weather.
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
