Tuesday, 15 July 2025 08:55

Nelson farmers face years of recovery after floods

Written by  Peter Burke
The wild weather caused a number of slips in the Tasman region, including this one in Matiri Valley. Photo Credit: Tasman/Nelson Civil Defence Facebook Page The wild weather caused a number of slips in the Tasman region, including this one in Matiri Valley. Photo Credit: Tasman/Nelson Civil Defence Facebook Page

Some farmers in the Nelson region are facing up to five years of hard work to repair their damaged properties caused by the recent devastating floods.

Federated Farmers Nelson provincial president Kerry Irvine says there is not a farm in the province that hasn't been affected in some way by the floods.

He says one farmer has lost six and a half kilometres of fencing, and others have also been hammered.

"There are farmers who have lost tracks, culverts and flood gates and many have paddocks covered in silt," he told Rural News.

Irvine says at the height of the flood, huge trees were being ripped out and are now floating around in Tasman Bay.

He says the Motueka river is now but a shadow of itself with paddocks on the banks ripped away throughout the catchment. 

Irvine says every primary sector business has been affected, including sheep and beef, dairy and horticulture.

"A number of houses have been yellow or red stickered and it's likely more will be added to the list as the full extent of the damage is revealed," he says.

Irvine says it's impossible to estimate the final repair bill because farmers will just go out and buy what they need and this will never be included in the final bill.

He says they have had government officials and ministers down to look at the damage and attend civil defence meetings. But he says, while goverment may have good intentions to help, it is slow to eventuare.

"I've got farmers who need stuff now," he says.

Flooded Riwaka-Sandy Bay Road in the Tasman Region. Photo Credit: Tasman/Nelson Civil Defence Facebook Page.

Meanwhile Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford, who farms in the region, has seen for himself the nature of the devastation.

He says the destruction in parts of Nelson and Tasman is extensive, with some farms totally unrecognisable. He says you can see where the flooded Motueka River came through and swallowed everything in its path.

"It's total devastation. One farm I visited had about 50 hectares taken out. The river changed course and just chewed right through it. Orchards nearby got smoked as well. It is clear some properties have been hit worse than others - and that those farmers urgently need our support," he says.

Langford met a farmer who has lost a quarter of his farm and says the scene is heartbreaking.

He says some of the worst of the damage is to farms right by the river, which are also some of the most productive.

As Rural News went to press, Kerry Irvine and other farmers were on tenterhooks hoping that there would be no further damage.

More like this

Editorial: Getting RMA settings right

OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.

Farmers back Government pause on RMA plan changes

There's been widespread support from the primary sector for the Government's move to put the brakes on local authorities to do any more work on planning changes ahead of major changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA).

Featured

DairyNZ thanks farm staff

August 6 marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day, a moment to recognise the dedication and hard mahi of dairy farm workers across Aotearoa - and DairyNZ is taking the opportunity to celebrate the skilled teams working on its two research farms.

Editorial: Getting RMA settings right

OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.

Why is butter so expensive in New Zealand? Fonterra explains

Kiwis love their butter, and that's great because New Zealand produces some of the best butter in the world. But when the price of butter goes up, it's tough for some, particularly when many other grocery staples have also gone up and the heat goes on co-operative Fonterra, the country's main butter maker. Here the co-op explains why butter prices are so high right now.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Trop de Paris!

OPINION: Your old mate's ear has been chewed off recently by farmers voicing their displeasure with the National Party, particularly…

NZ vs Aussie beef

OPINION: Your old mate hears that at a recent China Business Summit, PM Christopher Luxon delivered a none-too-subtle "could try…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter