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A damaged road in the Kaikoura area. Photo: NZ Defence Force.
Federated Farmers is putting up two helicopters today to check on farmers isolated by the earthquake.
Katie Milne, a Feds Board member who is helping to coordinate assistance to farmers in areas hit by the quake, says they have not heard from some farmers, but she suspects telecommunications are out and road access cut.
The Feds are coordinating the response of which DairyNZ, Beef+Lamb NZ and others are a part of.
Milne says many hill country farmers are very resourceful and are used to being isolated from time to time. Some have their own helicopters and aircraft. Milne says she suspects many homes and farming infrastructure have been badly damaged, but says on some farms there will be a number of houses and that may help the situation.
Power and fuel will be big issues for farmers and hence the need to get roads cleared as soon as possible.
Milne says once they know the farmers’ needs, they can start matching that with the necessary resources. But at this stage farmers with damage to their properties will need people who are qualified or capable of carrying out that work without supervision.
Well-meaning people who can’t do the necessary work will cause more problems for farmers, she says.
Milne says they want to get an accurate picture of the devastation before the ‘ugly weather’ comes in today and tomorrow.
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The first major update to the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare in more than a decade has been released, marking what DairyNZ describes as an important step in ensuring animal welfare standards continue to evolve alongside scientific evidence and on-farm realities.
Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.
Leading figures from the major political parties will be questioned on their primary sector policies at the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, on 30 September.
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
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