Cyclone Gabrielle: Hawke's Bay Orchardists Still Recovering
Three and a half years on from when Cyclone Gabrielle hit Hawke's Bay, some orchardists in the region are still receiving counselling to help them deal with the trauma they suffered.
New Zealand First leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters says the Government needs to do what it can to avoid insurance delays similar to those seen after the Canterbury Earthquakes.
“The flooding and damage that has been caused by Cyclone Gabrielle is immense and widespread,” Peters says.
“The Government must speak with insurance companies right now about the pathway forward for people to ensure a speedy recovery effort.
“Tens of thousands of kiwis have been affected by this cyclone and the clean up will be huge,” he says.
Peters says people need certainty from their insurance companies and for that to happen, he says, the Government needs to gain a commitment from insurers that applications are processed with the urgency the situation requires.
“The time to sort this out is now.”
Wayne McNee, chief executive of AgriZeroNZ, has resigned and will leave the organisation on 15 January 2027.
The New Zealand dairy sector set a record in the 2025/26 season, producing more than two billion kilograms of milksolids for the first time.
Milk powder prices are continuing their merry run, firming up a potential $10/kgMS farmgate price this season.
Teachers are welcoming the outgoing Government’s U-turn allowing agriculture and horticultural science to remain a standalone Year 11 subject.
Outgoing ACT MP and dairy farmer Mark Cameron says Saturday’s election result reflects voters deeply impacted by the cost of living.
Another former Federated Farmers national president is heading to Parliament.