Editorial: Hunting Policy Misses The Mark
OPINION: As the general election approaches, political parties are churning out policies in the hope of attracting more votes.
Federated Farmers Gisborne/Wairoa president Charlie Reynolds says farmers are in need of emotional support after rain, wind and flooding hit the region this week.
He says that, just a year and a half after Cyclone Gabrielle hit, this week’s storm will be an emotional “trigger point” for many of the region’s farmers and growers.
“We’ve had reports of some farms who’ve just finished replacing the fences along waterways and stuff and they’ve all just disappeared again. You kind of think ‘God they’ve gone out, had to borrow the money and what do they do now?’,” Reynolds told Rural News.
“We won’t really know the full impact for at least three or four days until we can get access,” he says, adding that there are several roads which are still impassable.
“All in all, it’s just a bit of wait and see.”
Reynolds says the region is emotionally tired as it grapples with the deaths of three fishermen who went missing on Monday, “at the same time as we’re getting our teeth kicked in by Mother Nature”.
“The support for the emotional side is really the key and knowing that people and friends are there.
“There will be a time where we’ll say, ‘we do need support in this area and we do need support in that area’… but we don’t want to go out and say, ‘we need this’ now, it’s just far too early.”
Celebrating 50 years in the rural landscape of Central Canterbury and beyond, Ashburton-based Carrfields, has been the exemplar for all aspects of modern agriculture via its extensive range of services including supply, growing, agronomic advice and marketing.
For Taupiri dairy farmers Logan and Sian Dawson, their involvement in the NZ Dairy Industry Awards has been a key catalyst in the growth of their business - the experience helping shape how they approach the farm ownership pathway they are pursuing today.
West Otago dairy farmer Luke Kane has been awarded the 2026 Rabobank Dr John Morris Business Development Prize.
OPINION: As the general election approaches, political parties are churning out policies in the hope of attracting more votes.
An LIC bull, Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F, bred by Tony and Keri O'Connor of Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd near Timaru, has won the 2026 Mahoe Trophy.
With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging farmers and growers to think ahead about nutrient planning and be prepared to work around challenging weather conditions.

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