Friday, 28 February 2020 14:54

Govt declares adverse event for Waikato primary sector

Written by  Staff Reporters
The announcement follows adverse event classifications in Northland and North Auckland. The announcement follows adverse event classifications in Northland and North Auckland.

The Government has declared a drought in Waikato and South Auckland, unlocking $80,000 in Government support for farmers and growers.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says the declaration recognises the extreme and prolonged nature of this dry spell is taking its toll on the primary sector and additional support is needed.

“The lack of any substantial rainfall over the past few months means that the drought situation in the region has reached the point where assistance is needed to help the rural community get through.”

The declaration unlocks initial extra funding of $80,000 for the Waikato, Hauraki-Coromandel Rural Support Trust to help speed up the recovery of farming and horticultural businesses.

The Waikato, Hauraki-Coromandel Rural Support Trust region includesSouth Auckland (Manukau and Papakura) Hamilton, Hauraki, Matamata-Piako, Ōtorohanga, South Waikato, Taupo, Thames-Coromandel, Waikato, Waipa, and Waitomo

“Farmers in Waikato are no strangers to dry summers and they have had good grass silage on hand to date but the longer they go without rain, the harder it becomes to carry on as usual,” says O’Connor.

Today’s announcement follows adverse event classifications in Northland and North Auckland earlier this month where $80,000 was allocated to the Rural Support Trust to support affected farmers.

More like this

Contract milkers hit hard by drought crisis

Many contract milkers in badly drought affected regions around the country are coming under severe financial stress and farm owners are being urged to help them through a bad patch until the start of the new season.

Featured

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Overbearing?

OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…

Foot-in-mouth

OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter