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Jacinda Ardern has yet to visit Southland.
Questions are being raised about the government’s lack of concern for Southland flood victims.
Last week, Rural News reported that the flooding had affected more than 100 farms, with many dairy farms inaccessible for milk collection.
The Government announced on Friday that it will contribute $100,000 to the Southland regional Mayoral Relief Fund.
The funding is going towards Rural Support Trusts to help farming businesses recover.
Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor said on Twitter that the $100,000 is initial funding, with the government assessing over the coming days and weeks.
Andrew Thompson @Pandasport questioned Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s whereabouts alongside photos of his work with Federated Farmers volunteer clean-up group, Farmy Army.
#farmyarmy volunteers hard at work in #southland the #forgottonprovince ,it would be nice to see @jacindaardern come down for a look or is #Southland #tooblueforahug @HamishWalkerMP @blairdrysdale77 @GrantMcCallum4 @TheCountry @deanrabbidge @katrinathomas67 @TheMusterShow pic.twitter.com/5hQUVeQizY
— Andrew Thompson (@Pandasport) February 9, 2020
Baron Von Andrew @AndrewNZ20 asked why the media was not sharing concerns about the PM’s lacking Southland presence.
Why hasn't the media asked Jacinda why she has yet to make any attempts to visit the South?
— Baron Von Andrew. (@AndrewNZ20) February 8, 2020
NO wonder there are people who say she's a #PartTimePM always missing in action when it counts. #nzpol
Geoff Booth @GeoffsNZViews posted a popular tweet taking aim at the level of funding provided to Southland.
Agriculture Min Damien O'Connor offers a pathetic $100,000 for Southland flood relief & Southland farmers
— GEOFF BOOTH NZ Politics & Stuff (@GeoffsNZViews) February 5, 2020
However if someone in Gore owns up to having any kind of semiauto, a $10M joint govt/police operation will swing in to action in the town at dawn. #nzpol #SouthlandFlooding https://t.co/WaSYeCj1Oi
If you are a flood-affected farmer interested in having your voice heard in an online article, tweet us at @RuralNews or message us on Facebook.
Farmers across parts of Southland and South Otago are continuing to deal with difficult conditions after a prolonged run of wet weather, with pressure building around feed supply, stock management, pasture damage, farm infrastructure and everyday workloads.
In Dacre, near Invercargill in New Zealand’s South Island, Bruce Dinnington is running a dairy operation unlike any other.
Kiwifruit growers are watchful but remain optimistic as concerns around the potential effects of the El Niño weather pattern this season.
OPINION: The stats speak for themselves.
With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging farmers and growers to think ahead about nutrient planning and be prepared to work around challenging weather conditions.
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.
Meat Industry Association data, released alongside the Red Meat Sector conference in Wellington, shows export value climbing across the US, China, UK and Canada.
Applications are set to open for the 2027 Zanda McDonald Award, a trans-Tasman award recognised for identifying and fast-tracking talented young leaders in agriculture and agribusiness.
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) and Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network are calling for investment in a proposed new training pathway for rural GPs, warning that many rural practices are struggling to recruit while a large share of the existing workforce nears retirement.
Synlait has swung to second-half profit as operations stabilise, but the dairy processor still posted a $75.4m annual loss.
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