M.I.A.
OPINION: The previous government spent too much during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite warnings from officials, according to a briefing released by the Treasury.
According to the recently released Te Hiringa Mahara Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission report, the impact of Covid-19 has added additional stress to the wellbeing of rural communities in New Zealand.
Around 16% of the country's population live in rural areas and around 35% in total live outside of large urban areas, with higher figures for Māori. The Covid-19 pandemic has had large impacts on these communities, exacerbating pre-existing challenges across healthcare services as well as highlighting and compounding stress farmers and growers were already experiencing.
Te Hiringa Mahara director of wellbeing system leadership and insights Dr Filipo Katavake-McGrath said the geographies, economies and cultures of rural communities present challenges to mental health and wellbeing outcomes.
"This is particularly true with respect to isolation and connectivity, workforce challenges in the economy and health services and uncertainty in rural economies."
Poor connectivity meant more people were struggling to get help, advice and support; with older people even less likely to be online, the closure of social hubs such as schools and libraries during lockdowns also had large impacts on communities.
McGrath says the report highlights the challenges presented to the rural community by these issues and with a higher rural population rural issues were disproportionately affecting Māori.
"It is important to remember that life has not 'returned to normal' and the need for support has not gone away. On a positive note, connectedness and belonging have helped people in rural communities stay positive over the Covid-19 pandemic. Strong local connections are a source of strength and support; and this is highlighted in rural Māori and Pacific communities."
During lockdowns, iwi, marae, communities banded together to support one another; share information, food and resources and reduce some of the worst psychological impacts of the pandemic.
"By working together, and engaging with government agencies and resources, rural communities have taken practical action to protect and support themselves. To keep the momentum going, we call for greater involvement of rural communities (particularly rural Māori) in planning and decision-making and better understanding of the diverse needs, challenges and experiences of rural communities."
Meat co-operative, Alliance has met with a group of farmer shareholders, who oppose the sale of a controlling stake in the co-op to Irish company Dawn Meats.
Rollovers of quad bikes or ATVs towing calf milk trailers have typically prompted a Safety Alert from Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture across New Zealand.
The Government has announced it has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research.
A group of Kiwi farmers are urging Alliance farmer-shareholders to vote against a deal that would see the red meat co-operative sell approximately $270 million in shares to Ireland's Dawn Meats.
In a few hundred words it's impossible to adequately describe the outstanding contribution that James Brendan Bolger made to New Zealand since he first entered politics in 1972.
Dawn Meats is set to increase its proposed investment in Alliance Group by up to $25 million following stronger than forecast year-end results by Alliance.
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