Wednesday, 16 November 2016 14:22

Rural mail to the rescue

Written by 
State Highway 1 (pictured) is one of the roads which needs to be cleared — in the meantime detours are being used. Photo: NZ Defence Force. State Highway 1 (pictured) is one of the roads which needs to be cleared — in the meantime detours are being used. Photo: NZ Defence Force.

Federated Farmers board member Katie Milne says rural posties could play a significant role in helping to deal with the aftermath of the devastating earthquake.

Milne, who is helping coordinate Feds’ assistance to farmers in quake-hit areas, says once the roads are cleared, rural posties could play a major role in helping to get information to isolated farmers. They could also bring back information to people working on assistance programmes.

She says the rural mail people know farmers well and could provide valuable feedback. They are a vital communication link especially if telecommunications are dodgy.

Milne says Feds are keen to meet the welfare needs of all farming families. Some farmers may choose to send children away to relatives while they focus on fixing damaged farms. Others may want to their family close by and this will be a very personal issue.

More like this

Rhymes with?

OPINION: The Feds' latest banking survey shows that bankers are even less popular with farmers than they used to be, despite falling interest rates, and the report still paints a damning picture of rural lending.

Tributes for leader

Tributes have flowed in from around the country for mid-Canterbury farming leader Chris Allen who died in a tragic accident on his farm near Ashburton.

Feds, banks lock horns

Major rural lenders are welcoming a call by farmers for the Commerce Commission to investigate their net-zero emissions target.

Getting Wellington out of farming

Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay spoke at the Federated Farmers 'Restoring Farmer Confidence' tour meeting at Mystery Creek, Hamilton last month. Here's what he said:

Featured

Farmer honoured with New Zealand Order of Merit

Hauraki Coromandel farmer Keith Trembath was recently awarded the title of Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in recognition of his contributions to public service, agriculture, and education.

RSE workers get immunised

Over 1,000 Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers in the Hawke’s Bay have now been immunised against measles.

National

Machinery & Products

Batten Buddy - cleverly simple

Stopping livestock from escaping their environment is a “must do” for any farmers or landowners and at times can seem…

U10 Pro Highland a step up

A few weeks after driving the CF MOTO U10 Pro ‘entry level’ model, we’ve had a chance to test the…

LC70 - A no-nonsense work horse

As most vehicle manufacturers are designing, producing and delivering machines with features that would take us into the next decade,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Dark ages

OPINION: Before we all let The Green Party have at it with their 'bold' emissions reduction plan, the Hound thought…

Rhymes with?

OPINION: The Feds' latest banking survey shows that bankers are even less popular with farmers than they used to be,…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter