Silt study provides critical insights on recovery
A study examining the recovery of land covered by silt during Cyclone Gabrielle last year could provide critical insights on how to manage recovery from the storm.
The Government is allocating $91 million for Hawke’s Bay’s local roading recovery this year.
This was announced by former Transport Minister Simon Bridges during a recent meeting with the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) chair. The announcement has been welcomed by mayors.
Wairoa Mayor, Craig Little, says the councils were heartened by the outcome of Friday's meeting in this regard.
“It was great to get the clarity we’ve been so desperately seeking, and to have it confirmed that the Hawke’s Bay region will, in the current 2024/25 year, receive the full $91 million allocated as part of Budget 24,” Little says.
“This is exactly what we need as a region to be able to hit the ground running when the construction season kicks off next week,” he adds.
Hastings Mayor, Sandra Hazlehurst says the funding commitment provides further reassurance that the Government is prepared to listen to the needs of Cyclone-hit regions and support recovery activity.
She says it was “fantastic” to meet with Bridges on Friday and to hear him echo the region’s desire to move quickly, adding that he agreed with the need to cut through red tape in order to deliver for those communities.
“Friday’s funding commitment is yet another example of the continued excellent support and investment we’ve received from Prime Minister Luxon and Transport Minister Simeon Brown as we work to rebuild our region’s severely damaged local roads and bridges,” Hazlehurst says.
Central Hawke’s Bay Mayor, Alex Walker, says the focus needs to turn to translating the decisiveness and clarity from Bridges into formal funding approvals and on the ground projects.
"I have been anxious about being able to ensure our district is going to get the funding and project approval ahead of the summer construction season, so I am really grateful we have been given this assurance it is coming," Walker says.
"All I wanted to do is give certainty to our kaimahi and contractors ahead of Christmas, so we all know that we can get on with the mahi.
“The roads we are fixing up are economic and social enablers,” he says.
“Rebuilding them reconnects our communities and strengthens our primary sector and the entire region's economy,” Walker concludes.
According to new figures from Stats NZ, kiwifruit exports were valued at $3.1 billion in the year ended August 2024.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) says it is seeking research proposals to help improve New Zealand’s reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, forestry, and other land uses.
The Government is allocating $91 million for Hawke’s Bay’s local roading recovery this year.
Food rescue organisation, KiwiHarvest, recently celebrated a major milestone.
Meat co-operative Alliance Group is looking for directors who can demonstrate strong alignment to its long-term vision, according to chair Mark Wynne.
South Island agribusinesses Ngai Tahu Farming and PGG Wrightson were able to see first-hand the fruits of their continued support of IHC recently when members of IHC’s South Canterbury Kapa Haka ropu performed at Ngai Tahu’s Te Whenua Hou farm in North Canterbury.
OPINION: A reader recently called out the Hound for not giving Federated Farmers enough credit for taking Otago Regional Council…
OPINION: Your old mate was shocked to learn that two pet projects of progressive dreamers have come a gutser in…